Knowledge and use of the internet as a source of controlled substances
An earlier version of these results was presented at the 66th Annual Scientific Meeting of the College on Problems of Drug Dependence in San Juan, PR, June 2004.
Received 26 August 2004; received in revised form 5 August 2005; accepted 10 August 2005.
Abstract
Despite growing evidence that the internet is a source of controlled substances for nonmedical use, there is a lack of information about who is using it to obtain these drugs. One hundred adult drug-dependent inpatients in a private residential treatment program participated in a semistructured interview regarding how they obtained their drugs. Twenty-nine percent reported knowledge of the internet as a source of drugs, and 11% reported that they had used the internet to either buy drugs or locate a drug dealer. The results of this preliminary study suggest that the internet has become a source of controlled substances for some addicted individuals. Considerations for future research and clinical practice are described.
ABSTRACT