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
Risk Factors for Discontinuation of Treatment for Opioid Use Disorders
Opioid Use Disorder (OUD), and the associated risk of overdose and death, is becoming one of the most prevalent threats to health and social wellbeing in the United States. Medication, such as buprenorphine, is the gold standard treatment...
Report on the State of Public Health in Canada 2018: Preventing Problematic Substance Use in Youth
The Public Health Agency of Canada has released its latest report on the state of public health, with a spotlight on the prevention of problematic substance use among youth. Results from the analysis found that almost 80% of Canadians aged...
The Mechanism Behind Alcohol Addiction
Alcohol is known to affect a region in our brain called the Ventral Tegmental Area (VTA), otherwise known as the “pleasure centre”. By activating specific neurones that then go on to release the neurochemical dopamine within this particular...
Effectiveness Bank Drug Treatment Matrix Row 5: Reducing Crime, Protecting Families
Time to consolidate the lessons of the last five instalments of our course on drug treatment research. Row 5 explored key studies on treatment in relation to safeguarding the family and the community from crime. A common theme was the...
Making the Opioid Use Disorder Cascade of Care a Reality, Despite Data Limitations
This blog post by ICUDDR Executive Director, Kim Johnson, discusses a method for measuring national outcomes of efforts to reduce the number of overdose deaths in the United States. Click here to read the blog post.
World Health Organization SAFER Alcohol Control Initiative
The WHO Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health claims that alcohol consumption contributes to more than 3 million deaths globally every year and is the seventh leading risk factor for premature death and disability. The World Health...
Gene Therapy for Cocaine Addiction
Cocaine addiction is linked with uncontrollable drug seeking. Cues within the environment act as a constant reminder of the experience and can lead to relapse. Current medication options are limited when it comes to meeting the needs for...
Managing Drug and Alcohol Problems in Primary Care
The Royal College of General Practitioners and Substance Misuse Management Good Practice are jointly hosting their 23rd Managing Drug and Alcohol Problems in Primary Care Conference.
Strategy to Combat Opioid Abuse
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has released its five point strategy to combat opioid abuse, misuse, and overdose. The five points that the strategy is based on are to: Improve access to prevention, treatment and recovery...
The Epidemiology and Treatment of Smoking in People with Mental Health Disorders
Tobacco is the world’s leading but preventable cause of disease and death. Although cigarette smoking among adults has been steadily decreasing, rates continue to remain high amongst certain vulnerable populations. This includes individuals with mental health issues.