Treatment

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.

Substance Involvement and Probation Outcomes: Evidence From a Cohort Study

Scientific article

Abstract Substance use disorders are common among justice-involved populations, the majority of whom are under community supervision in the form of probation. Substance involvement can amplify the challenges of complying with requirements...

A randomized study of the use of screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) for drug and alcohol use with jail inmates

Scientific article

Abstract Background Screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) is an evidence-based practice that has been shown to reduce alcohol and drug use in healthcare, educational, and other settings, but research on the...

Electronic-Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (e-SBIRT) for Addictive Disorders: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Scientific article

Abstract Background: Addictive disorders are significant global public health burdens. Treatment uptake with these disorders is low and outcomes can be mixed. Electronic screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (e-SBIRT)...

Integrating Addiction Medicine with Treatment Courts

17 October 2025

- Online

This 4-hour course is designed for medical providers practicing addiction medicine who interact with treatment courts and the justice system. Clinicians will explore the complexities of treating justice-involved individuals and apply practical strategies through case-based learning to enhance collaboration, advocate for evidence-based care, and improve coordination with community resources.

Effect of screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment for unhealthy alcohol and other drug use in mental health treatment settings: a randomized controlled trial

Scientific article

Abstract Aims To test the efficacy of a brief intervention to reduce alcohol or drug use and to promote use of addiction services among patients seeking mental health treatment. Design and setting A multi-centre, longitudinal, two-group...

Patient outcomes and experience of a task-shared screening and brief intervention service for problem substance use in South African emergency centres: a mixed methods study.

Scientific article

ABSTRACT Background Screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment (SBIRT) programmes have resulted in generally positive outcomes in healthcare settings, particularly for problem alcohol use, yet implementation is hampered by...

Implementation of a screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment programme for risky substance use in South African emergency centres: A mixed methods evaluation study

Scientific article

Abstract Background Screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) for risky substance use is infrequently included in routine healthcare in low-resourced settings. A SBIRT programme, adopted by the Western Cape provincial...

Screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) for cannabis: A scoping review

Scientific article

Highlights • Scoping review found inconsistent support for SBIRT for cannabis. • Use of cannabis-specific screening could increase engagement. • Modifications to brief interventions yielded inconsistent outcomes. • Limited research has...

A randomized study of the use of screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) for drug and alcohol use with jail inmates

Scientific article

Abstract Background: Screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) is an evidence-based practice that has been shown to reduce alcohol and drug use in healthcare, educational, and other settings, but research on the...

Considerations for Introducing SBIRT into a Jail Setting.

Scientific article

INTRODUCTION Nearly all chronic substance users enter the criminal justice system at some time in their use career. Drug use is closely associated with crime, and its prevalence among offenders is high ( MacCoun et al., 2003; Newcomb et al...