Background

Appointment no-show and early dropout from treatment represent major challenges in outpatient substance use disorder treatment, adversely affecting clinical outcomes and health care productivity. In this quasi-experimental study, we examined how a brief reminder intervention for new patients before their first appointment affected treatment participation and retention. No-shows (not attending any sessions) and dropouts (discontinuation of initiated treatment because of three consecutively missed appointments) were compared between a period with pre-admission telephone calls...

Background

In somatic health care settings, interdisciplinary collaborations (where various disciplines work coordinated and interdependently toward shared goals) are considered to yield higher team effectiveness than multidisciplinary approaches (where various disciplines work in parallel within their professional boundaries). Nonetheless, research on multidisciplinary techniques for the treatment of alcohol use disorder (AUD) in hospitalised patients is limited since these approaches are relatively uncommon. The purpose of this study is to evaluate a novel multidisciplinary AUD treatment...

Background

Aftercare programs for people with substance use disorders (PWSUD) are frequently challenged with a number of overlapping obstacles, including uncertain policy consequences and a lack of resources. Despite demographic variety, service providers in South Africa are obligated to offer aftercare programs that effectively reintegrate people with PWSUD into society, the workforce, family, and community life, as specified by Act No. 70 of 2008. Little is known about the availability of aftercare services in South Africa, particularly in rural areas. This paper investigates service...

Presented by Jo Cassar (The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, University of Sydney), by the end of this webinar, attendees will be able to:

- Recognise the importance of assessing for substance use when a client presents with a mental health disorder;

- Use some key tools from CBT such as cognitive restructuring and activity scheduling with clients presenting with co-occurring substance use and mental disorders;

- Understand some common challenges associated with developing activities for behaviour change when working with co-occurring substance use and mental...

The country office Pakistan of “United Nation Office on Drug & Crime” (UNODC) is happy to offer the Training of Trainers (ToT) on Universal Treatment Curriculum (UTC) Advance course 9-15. We are inviting the application for ToT on following advances courses in Pakistan.

1. Course 9: Pharmacology and SUD (3 days)
2. Course 10: Managing Medication Assisted Treatment Programs (4 days)
3. Course 11: Enhancing -Motivational Interviewing Skills (5 days)
4. Course 12: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (4 days)
5. Course 13: Contingency Management (3 days)
6. Course 14: Working with Families (5 days)
7. Course 15...

Background

Opioid overdose remains a public health crisis in diverse communities. Between 2019 and 2020, there was an almost 40% increase in drug fatalities primarily due to opioid analogues of both stimulants and opioids. Medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD; e.g., buprenorphine) are effective, evidence-based treatments that can be delivered in office-based primary care settings. We investigated disparities in the proportion of national prescribers who have obtained a waiver issued to prescribe MOUD by demographic characteristics.

Methods

Data for the secondary data analyses were...

Background

Substance use among youth (ages 12–24) is troublesome given the increasing risk of harms associated. Even more so, substance use services are largely under utilised among youth, most only accessing support when in crisis. Few studies have explored young people’s help-seeking behaviours to address substance use concerns. To address this gap, this study explored how youth perceive and experience substance use services in British Columbia (BC), Canada.

Methods

Participatory action research methods were used by partnering with BC youth (under the age of 30) from across the province...

Background

When used in combination with other therapies for drug use disorders, neurofeedback (NF) has been classified as "probably effective," according to recent research in the community of people with opioid use disorder. Despite these encouraging results, the severity of the opioid crisis, and the high risk of relapse even with the most effective medication-assisted maintenance therapy, NF remains a little-studied therapeutic option. The possibility of incorporating Alpha/Theta Neurofeedback into standard opioid addiction therapy in an outpatient urban treatment facility is examined in...

Dear friends and colleagues, 

The Commission on Narcotic Drugs is starting very soon! In fact, tomorrow, Monday, 14 March 2022. 

Once again, all sessions, as well as the side events, are to be held online due to the pandemic. The good thing about that means that, you can still follow the plenaries and the side events! That’s why we thought that you might appreciate having all the links in one place.

GENERAL LINKS TO FOLLOW CND

• Link to 65th session with general information on organizational arrangements: https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/commissions/CND/session/65_Session_2022/65CND_Main...

Early detection of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome allows infected people to use prophylaxis against opportunistic infections and beginning immediate treatment for secondary complications. People who receive treatment benefit from increased social support and, more crucially, change their behaviour to prevent the virus from spreading to others. One of the most major methods of HIV transmission is through medication injections, and this group is responsible for the spread of HIV since they are ignorant of their illness. The coexistence of HIV and other opportunistic infections and illnesses...