This paper presents a definition of e-health and m-heath tools to address substance use problems, and a taxonomy to describe such tools systematically. A number of examples of e-health tools that are currently being used in Europe for prevention, treatment and harm reduction of substance use are presented, based on a selective literature search. Recent reviews and other studies on the effectiveness of e-health tools are discussed. Most of the available research has focused on the reduction of cannabis use, alcohol moderation and smoking cessation, and to a lesser extent on reducing use of stimulants and opioids. The paper concludes with a number of future challenges for the wider implementation of e-health and m-health for substance use problems in Europe

Background paper commissioned by the EMCDDA for Health and social responses to drug problems: a European guide