Message from an amalgamation of research findings for the American Psychological Association is that conveying genuineness and authenticity - at least during therapy, being and giving of yourself as an integrated character - is one way therapists underpin an effective therapeutic relationship. But what if a therapy’s mandates demand a less than genuine response?

Alcohol consumption in pregnancy has the potential to cause significant fetal damage. It is estimated that approximately 3.2% of babies born in the UK are affected by fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, though the guidance says currently few children are identified or receive support.

The Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network has developed new guidelines improve understanding, identification and care for those affected by prenatal alcohol exposure.

The guideline includes information to support clinicians identifying children who have been affected by prenatal alcohol exposure and who are...

The Cochrane Drugs and Alcohol Group specialises in reviews that assess, among other things, ways to reduce hazardous or harmful drinking of alcohol.

One of these reviews looks at the evidence on practitioner-delivered brief interventions and we asked one of the authors, Fiona Beyer from Newcastle University in the UK to tell us about the findings from the update in February 2018.

The US is experiencing a public health crisis. In the US in 2016 alone, there were over 63,000 drug poisoning deaths. Despite these concerning figures, it is estimated that fewer than 20% (3.8 million) receive treatment and for those who do receive support relapse rates are high.

A recent study, published in the Journal of Drug and Alcohol Dependence, interviewed practitioners to get their perspectives on the barriers people face trying to access treatment and the challenges they face during their time receiving care.

182 substance use treatment professionals participated in the study.

On...