This publication has been designed to help substance abuse treatment staff be more effective in locating and using online resources. We believe this is important because the vast array of powerful online tools directly related to addiction treatment grows daily. Practitioners who use the Web in their work gain access to information that can save time and enhance their treatment skills. Ultimately, they are better equipped to serve clients and transform lives.

Recently, the Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC) National Office conducted focused telephone interviews with treatment center administrators across the United States concerning their organization's Internet usage and needs. In these calls, administrators indicated that they would like to help their staff find and use the best addiction resources and be more efficient with their limited time online.

In response, we developed this publication. It provides information about how the Internet can be beneficial in treatment settings, how to conduct effective searches and evaluate information, and includes a list of some of the best addiction-related sites.

For many years, the ATTC Network has focused on helping treatment practitioners gain Internet access at work. Now that many have access, we hope this publication will help them optimize their Web time!

"Internet" versus "World Wide Web"

The Internet (or "the Net") is a system of electronically linked international computer networks. It is the "highway" on which data travels. The World Wide Web (or "the Web") is the vehicle by which data is retrieved and carried across the Internet. The two systems work in tandem. Although technically different, we will use these terms synonymously in this publication.1
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