Implementing Effective Substance Abuse Treatments in General Medical Settings: Mapping the Research Terrain

J Subst Abuse Treat. 2016 Jan:60:110-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jsat.2015.06.020. Epub 2015 Jul 8.

Abstract

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), and Veterans Health Administration (VHA) share an interest in promoting high quality, rigorous health services research to improve the availability and utilization of evidence-based treatment for substance use disorders (SUD). Recent and continuing changes in the healthcare policy and funding environments prioritize the integration of evidence-based substance abuse treatments into primary care and general medical settings. This area is a prime candidate for implementation research. Recent and ongoing implementation projects funded by these agencies are reviewed. Research in five areas is highlighted: screening and brief intervention for risky drinking; screening and brief intervention for tobacco use; uptake of FDA-approved addiction pharmacotherapies; safe opioid prescribing; and disease management. Gaps in the portfolios, and priorities for future research, are described.

Keywords: Alcohol; Evidence-based practices; Implementation science; Integrated care; Primary care; Substance use disorders.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / standards*
  • Evidence-Based Practice / standards*
  • Health Services Research / standards*
  • Humans
  • Substance-Related Disorders / diagnosis
  • Substance-Related Disorders / drug therapy
  • Substance-Related Disorders / therapy*