An article examined the development and delivery of an aftercare programme called Learning To Live Again, which was co-produced between service users and clinic staff. Researchers identified four themes as characterizing the process of co-producing the programme: finding and achieving common ground; roles and responsibilities; the activities programme; and the road to recovery. A number of challenges were found to arise, but the benefits of co-producing after care were considered to outweigh the difficulties.
Source: Gillian Tober, Duncan Raistrick, Helen Fiona Crosby, Jennifer Sweetman, Sally Unsworth, Leah Suna, and Alex Copello, 'Co-producing addiction aftercare', Drugs and Alcohol Today, Volume 13 Number 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2013-Oct
A think-tank report examined the problem of substance abuse and addiction. It said that substance abuse was a pathway to poverty, family breakdown, child neglect, homelessness, crime, debt, and long-term worklessness. It highlighted the system's lack of ambition to tackle alcohol abuse: whereas two-thirds of drug addicts in England got treatment, only a small minority (approximately 7 per cent) of people dependent on alcohol got similar help. Furthermore, by withdrawing its plans for a minimum unit price, the coalition government had missed an opportunity to tackle the increased availability of super-cheap, strong alcohol. A better approach than minimum unit pricing would have been a treatment tax, which – unlike a minimum unit price – would have meant that the proceeds went to the taxpayer rather than boosting retailers' profits. The report also criticized a failure to offer heroin addicts effective treatment: most local councils in England had cut funding for residential treatment since the coalition government took power – despite the fact that the Prime Minister had previously argued in favour of more residential programmes and against the continual use of methadone.
Source: No Quick Fix: Exposing the depth of Britain s drug and alcohol problem, Centre for Social Justice
Links: Report | CSJ press release | BBC report | Daily Mail report | Guardian report | Telegraph report
Date: 2013-Sep
An article examined the extent to which the two visions of recovery that were being developed in in mental health and substance misuse services were consistent with each other. It questioned what impact the development of parallel approaches would have on people at the intersections between them. Placing personal recovery at the heart of both mental health and substance misuse services might, over time, improve their efficiency and effectiveness.
Source: Marcus Roberts and Andy Bell, 'Recovery in mental health and substance misuse services: a commentary on recent policy development in the United Kingdom', Advances in Dual Diagnosis, Volume 6 Issue 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2013-Jul
An article said that the stigmatization of problem drug-users had a profound impact, and represented a significant barrier to recovery.
Source: Charlie Lloyd, 'The stigmatization of problem drug users: a narrative literature review', Drugs: Education, Prevention & Policy, Volume 20 Number 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2013-Mar
A report (by an official advisory body) examined evidence on the factors contributing to recovery from drug or alcohol dependence.
Source: Recovery from Drug and Alcohol Dependence: An overview of the evidence, Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs
Links: Report
Date: 2013-Jan
An article examined the accessibility of addiction treatment within services providing mental healthcare and support for people from socially marginalized groups in deprived urban areas across European Union countries.
Source: Marta Welbel, Aleksandra Matanov, Jacek Moskalewicz, Henrique Barros, Reamonn Canavan, Edina Gabor, Andrea Gaddini, Tim Greacen, Ulrike Kluge, Vincent Lorant, Mercedes Esteban Pen, Aart Schene, Joaquim Soares, Christa Strassmayr, Petra Vondrackova, and Stefan Priebe, 'Addiction treatment in deprived urban areas in EU countries: accessibility of care for people from socially marginalized groups', Drugs: Education, Prevention & Policy, Volume 20 Number 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2013-Jan