A significant number of individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD) do not seek treatment, and the factors influencing treatment-seeking behavior are not well understood. While it is known that alcohol consumption levels can fluctuate with the seasons, the impact of these seasonal changes on seeking treatment for AUD remains unclear. This study aimed to explore whether there are seasonal patterns in the pursuit of treatment for AUD.

To investigate this, researchers conducted a time-series analysis involving adults in Denmark aged 18 and older who sought treatment for AUD. They focused on two...

Conducted annually, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) provides nationally representative data on the use of tobacco, alcohol, and drugs; substance use disorders; mental health issues; and receipt of substance use and mental health treatment among the civilian, noninstitutionalized population aged 12 or older in the United States. NSDUH estimates allow researchers, clinicians, policymakers, and the general public to better understand and improve the nation’s behavioral health. These reports and detailed tables present national estimates from the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use...

INTRODUCTION: In response to the emerging recognition of the need for Evidence-Based Practices (EBPs) for treating PSUDs, the Universal Treatment Curriculum (UTC) was conceptualised as a training series that is being conducted globally. This study delved into the experiences of addiction practitioners who completed the Universal Treatment Curriculum (UTC) training and utilize their UTC background to provide care for people with substance use disorder (PSUD).

METHODS: Ten addiction practitioners were interviewed, and Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was employed to analyse the...

BACKGROUND:

Implementing quality measurement is still a challenge in the field of drug treatment and harm reduction. In this case study, we investigate which strategies can be used to enhance the implementation of a policy in which quality indicators are made public.

METHODS:

Building on an evidence-based methodology, this case study shows how an organisation in Flanders – the Flemish Institute for Quality of Care – develops quality indicators along with its strategies to implement the measurement of the indicators.

RESULTS:

The study shows three types of quality indicators in the field...

INTRODUCTION:

The Cyprus National Addictions Authority (NAAC) is the main coordinating body for all matters related to licit and illicit substances as well as pathological gambling in Cyprus and it is responsible, inter alia, for the licensing, evaluation, funding (where possible), coordination, and reinforcement of all programmes, actions, and activities related to substances and gambling. Licensing and funding are based on the fulfilment of certain criteria and a certain level of quality.

METHODS:

The process that led to the establishment of a quality standards system for licensing and...

BACKGROUND:

The implementation of quality standards in the treatment of substance use disorders in Lithuania is not well documented in the literature.

AIMS:

To describe the process of the development of quality standards from grassroots initiatives to their integration into mainstream healthcare under the leadership of the Ministry of Health.

METHODS:

Narrative review of retrieved documents, including related legal acts, followed by a subsequent content analysis.

RESULTS:

The implementation was divided into three stages characterised by specific activities, leading stakeholders, and the...

BACKGROUND:

In the field of harm reduction (HR), an established quality assurance system with implemented quality standards is rather rare in practice. Together with limited evidence in this area, this leads to an imbalance in the basic segments of drug demand reduction and their lack of compatibility and alignment in terms of therapeutic continuity.

AIMS:

The paper presents case study analysis of the context and a description of the original quality management system in harm reduction at the national level.

METHODS:

The case study design is based on a narrative review from a search of...

INTRODUCTION:

Quality Standards (QS) are an important priority in European drug policy, although the extent of their application remains unclear. The FENIQS-EU project (Further ENhancing the Implementation of Quality Standards in drug demand reduction across Europe) was set up to foster the use of QS. The objective of this paper is to present the main findings of the first 18 months of this project.

METHODS:

A multi-method study design was used to assess the application of QS. It consisted of:

1) an online survey and brief interviews with key stakeholders in various areas of drug demand...

Background:

People who have problems with using opioids or other drugs and inject them have shorter lives than most people. Liver diseases, especially, contribute to this. Checking liver stiffness might help find liver problems early. This study looks at how common liver disease is in people who use drugs and how different factors like types of drugs used, hepatitis C, alcohol, weight, age, diabetes, and cholesterol affect liver stiffness.

Methods:

From May 2017 to March 2022, data was collected from 676 people in Western Norway. Most were getting treatment for opioid addiction, while some...

Background

There is little research on lifetime trauma exposure among individuals undergoing medication treatment for opioid use disorder (MOUD). A multisite study examined the prevalence of lifetime trauma and explored differences based on gender, PTSD status, and chronic pain.

Methods

A cross-sectional study examined baseline data from participants (N = 303) enrolled in a randomised controlled trial of a mind–body intervention as an adjunct to MOUD. All participants were stabilised on MOUD. Measures included the Trauma Life Events Questionnaire (TLEQ), the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), and...

Background

Physical or mental health commorbidities are common among people with substance use disorders undergoing opioid agonist therapy. Exercise provides many health benefits and can be used both as a preventive and treatment strategy. However, exercise programs for people with substance use disorders on opioid agonist therapy are limited. This study aims to explore their experiences with physical activity, as well as the perceived barriers and facilitators.

Method

Fourteen qualitative interviews were conducted with individuals receiving opioid agonist therapy in outpatient clinics in...

INTRODUCTION: More than four decades of war and tragedy have destroyed most of the public infrastructure in Afghanistan. Currently, drug use is a major public health crisis in the country and drug treatment services have extremely limited coverage. This article is a review of substance use problem and treatment situation prior to the reinstatement of Taliban. The aim of this article is to provide evidence-based recommendations for policy makers to improve substance use treatment services and to integrate some components of this sector into primary health care and to ensure sustainability of...

Background

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other LGBTQ populations (LGBTQ+; e.g., asexual individuals) have higher rates of substance use (SU) and disorders (SUD) compared to heterosexual and cisgender populations. Such disparities can be attributed to minority stress, including stigma and discrimination in healthcare settings. LGBTQ+-affirming SU treatment and related services remain limited. The purpose of this exploratory qualitative descriptive study was to characterise LGBTQ+ people’s experiences in SU services and recommendations for LGBTQ+- affirming care.

Methods

We...

Background

People with opioid use disorder (OUD) are frequently in contact with the court system and have markedly higher rates of fatal opioid overdose. Opioid intervention courts (OIC) were developed to address increasing rates of opioid overdose among court defendants by engaging court staff in identification of treatment need and referral for opioid-related services and building collaborations between the court and OUD treatment systems. The study goal was to understand implementation barriers and facilitators in referring and engaging OIC clients in OUD treatment.

Methods

Semi...

BACKGROUND:

Substance use increases the risk of damage to executive and cognitive functions. Manifested by a range of clinical symptoms, such impairments may affect people’s coping with everyday activities and their abilities to establish and maintain good social links. Substance users are an at-risk population in this respect. AIMS: Two cognitive rehabilitation interventions will be experimentally implemented into clinical practice and their effectiveness compared. The levels of impairment of the patients’ executive and cognitive functioning will be investigated.

METHODS:

The first...