The range of medical, psychological, and social services designed to help individuals reduce or stop substance use and manage substance use disorders. Treatment may include assessment, counselling and behavioural therapies, medication-assisted treatment, withdrawal management, and support for co-occurring mental or physical health conditions. Effective treatment is typically person-centred and evidence-informed, and may be provided in outpatient, community, or residential settings. Treatment aims to improve health and functioning, reduce substance-related harms, and support individuals in moving toward recovery and long-term wellbeing.
Treatment
World Drug Report 2025
On July 2nd, 2025, ISSUP had the privilege of hosting a webinar outlining highlights from the 2025 edition of the World Drug Report (WDR), presented by Ms. Giovanna Campello, Chief of the Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation Section at...
A Call for Trauma-Informed Justice Reform in Nigeria: Breaking the Cycle of Substance Use, Mental Illness, and Incarceration
By Seye Omiyefa Across Nigeria and many parts of the world, thousands of individuals, particularly youth and economically marginalized people, are trapped in a revolving door of arrest, incarceration, and reentry. Much of this cycle is...
Effectiveness of mindfulness-based relapse prevention in individuals with substance use disorders:
Abstract Objectives: This systematic review aimed to understand the current state of the art about the effectiveness of mindfulness-based relapse prevention (MBRP) on individuals with substance use disorders (SUD), taking into account not...
Psychological interventions for antisocial personality disorder.
Abstract Background: Antisocial personality disorder (AsPD) is associated with poor mental health, criminality, substance use and relationship difficulties. This review updates Gibbon 2010 (previous version of the review). Objectives: To...
The outcome of integrated motivational interviewing and cognitive-behavioral therapy in Egyptian patients with substance use disorder.
Abstract Objectives The authors aimed to evaluate the outcome of combined motivational interviewing and cognitive-behavioural therapy (MICBT) for substance use disorder compared to the twelve-step facilitation (TSF) therapy in terms of...
Evidence-based treatment and supervision practices for co-occurring mental and substance use disorders in the criminal justice system.
ABSTRACT Background: Over seven million persons in the United States are supervised by the criminal justice system, including many who have co-occurring mental and substance use disorders (CODs). This population is at high risk for...
A meta-analysis of cognitive-behavioral therapy for alcohol or other drug use disorders: Treatment efficacy by contrast condition.
Abstract Objective. This meta-analysis examined 30 randomized controlled trials (32 study sites; 35 study arms) that tested the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for alcohol or other drug use disorders (AUD/SUD). The study aim...
Evidence-based treatment and supervision practices for co-occurring mental and substance use disorders in the criminal justice system.
Abstract Background: Over seven million persons in the United States are supervised by the criminal justice system, including many who have co-occurring mental and substance use disorders (CODs). This population is at high risk for...
Psychological therapies for post‐traumatic stress disorder and comorbid substance use disorder
ABSTRACT Background Post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating mental health disorder that may develop after exposure to traumatic events. Substance use disorder (SUD) is a behavioural disorder in which the use of one or more...