First wave of scalable digital therapeutics: Internet-based programs for direct-to-consumer standalone care for mental health and addiction

The purpose of this chapter is to describe the first wave of digital therapeutics, internet-based programs (IBPs), for substance use and mental health disorders. The first section of the chapter will describe the context for the development of IBPs, including factors within the behavioral health field that supported their emergence and treatment challenges that IBPs may uniquely address, as well as the differentiation between internet-based programs and mobile applications. The second and third sections of the chapter will summarize the knowledge base and highlight specific IBPs for substance use disorders and mental health disorders, respectively, with a specific emphasis on mood and anxiety disorders. The chapter will conclude with a summary of pros and cons of IBPs and next steps in the use and development of IBPs for behavioral health.