Evidence resource page: Prevention, treatment and recovery

This resource page is part of the HPIO Addiction Evidence Project and covers topics relevant to three components of the comprehensive policy response to addiction framework: Prevention, treatment and recovery. Click here to view other phases of the Addiction Evidence Project.

This resource page contains the following sections:

Prevention

General addiction prevention and screening (includes: prevention programs for children and adults, school-based prevention, drug testing in schools, community coalitions, SBIRT)
Opiate addiction prevention: Opioid prescribing and pain management (includes: opioid prescribing guidelines for chronic, acute and dental pain; Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs [PDMPs]); and, non-opioid pain management [superficial heat, massage, yoga, exercise, cognitive behavioral therapy, etc.]
Alcohol misuse prevention (includes: SBIRT and alcohol access policies)
Marijuana misuse prevention (includes: impact of marijuana use on adolescents, medical marijuana)
Tobacco use prevention (includes: community-based and youth prevention)

Treatment

General addiction treatment (includes: early intervention, Medication-Assisted Treatment [MAT], psychosocial approaches)
Opiate addiction treatment (includes: Medication-Assisted Treatment [MAT], psychosocial approaches, Opioid Treatment Programs [OTPs], treatment guidelines for adolescents, adults and pregnant women)
Alcohol misuse treatment (includes: treatment for adolescents and adults)
Cocaine, methamphetamine and other psycho-stimulant addiction treatment
Tobacco use cessation treatment (includes: cessation guidelines for adolescents, adults, pregnant women and people with mental health conditions)

Recovery

General addiction recovery (includes: mutual aid groups/12-step programs, peer support, recovery housing)

Sources

This resource page provides links to three types of credible guidance on what works to address addiction:

Expert consensus statements and guidelines: Recommendations developed by groups of experts convened by a federal agency, medical professional association or other credible organization. In most cases, these expert panels used a rigorous and systematic process to compile and evaluate peer-reviewed research evidence and translate research findings into specific implications for community-based prevention, clinical care or recovery services.
Evidence registries: Searchable databases or other user-friendly compilations of evidence-based policies and programs. These registries use specific screening criteria to identify effective strategies and/or rate strategies on the strength of their available evidence of effectiveness.
Model policies: Model legislation developed by experts.

Prevention

General addiction prevention and screening

Ohio Department of Health, 2020
2020-2022 State Health Improvement Plan
Recommendations to prevent drug dependence/abuse and overdose deaths based on a review of research evidence and input from Ohio stakeholders.

U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2019
Substance Misuse Prevention for Young Adults
National report that supports health care providers, systems and communities seeking to prevent substance misuse among young adults. It describes relevant research findings, examines emerging and best practices, identifies knowledge gaps and implementation challenges and offers useful resources.

Ohio Attorney General, 2017
Ohio Joint Study Committee on Drug Use Prevention Education (final report)
Recommendations for school-based substance abuse prevention developed by a multi-stakeholder committee convened by Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine, former Senate President Keith Faber and House Speaker Clifford A. Rosenberger.

Trust for America’s Health, 2017
Pain in the Nation: The Drug, Alcohol and Suicide Crisis and the Need for a National Resilience Strategy
Report that includes list of evidence-based and promising policies and programs to reduce drug and alcohol misuse, including community-based prevention strategies (see Section 4 and Appendix A).

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), 2016
Policy Statement: Substance Use Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment
Recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Substance Use and Prevention for increased capacity to detect and intervene in adolescent substance use disorder cases.

Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, 2016
Clinical report: Substance Use Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment
This report includes an adolescent SBIRT clinical approach that guides pediatricians in implementing substance use prevention, detection, assessment and intervention practices.

National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2016
Principles of Substance Abuse Prevention for Early Childhood: A Research-Based Guide, Chapter 4: Research-Based Early Intervention Substance Abuse Prevention Programs
Summarizes research on the importance of early childhood interventions to prevent substance abuse later in life. Chapter 4 describes specific programs for ages 0-8.

Office of the Surgeon General, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2016

Facing Addiction in America
- Chapter 3: Prevention Programs and Policies summarizes research findings about risk and protective factors for addiction and effective prevention interventions for children and adults.
- Appendix B: Evidence-Based Prevention Programs and Policies lists evidence-based prevention programs and policies that have been rigorously evaluated and found to be effective.

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), 2015
Adolescent Drug Testing Policies in Schools
Recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Substance Use and Prevention for pediatricians related to drug testing in schools.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2015
Prevention Status Reports
Inventory of evidence-informed policies and practices designed to address 10 specific public health topics, including prescription drug overdose, alcohol-related harms and tobacco use. Rates the extent to which each state is implementing the recommended policies.

Trust for America’s Health, 2015
Reducing Teen Substance Misuse: What Really Works?
Includes ten indicators of state-level progress in preventing teen substance misuse and recommends specific prevention strategies.

Committee on Prevention, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Management of Substance Use Disorders in the U.S. Armed Forces, 2013
Best Practices in Prevention, Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Substance Use Disorders
This chapter reviews best practices for prevention, screening, diagnosis and treatment of substance use disorders (SUDs) with a focus on people serving in the armed forces.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2013
Systems-Level Implementation of Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) (Technical Assistance Publication
Describes the core elements of screening, brief intervention, brief treatment, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) programs for substance misuse and provides guidance on how to administer and sustain SBIRT services, including reimbursement from commercial insurance and Medicaid.

Institute of Medicine (now National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine), 2009

Preventing Mental, Emotional and Behavioral Disorders Among Young PeopleSummarizes prevention research and highlights specific interventions for children and adolescents that prevent mental illness, behavioral disorders and substance abuse.
Chapter 6: Family, School and Community Interventions
Chapter 7: Prevention of Specific Disorders and Promotion of Mental Health

Center for the Study of Prevention of Violence
Blueprints for Healthy Youth Development
Registry of evidence-based positive youth development programs designed to promote the health and well-being of children and teens, including teen substance abuse prevention programs.

Cochrane Collaboration
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
Searchable database of systematic reviews on wide range of healthcare topics, including a “Tobacco, drugs and alcohol” category.

County Health Rankings and Roadmaps, University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
What Works for Health
Searchable database of evidence-based policies and programs. Rates strength of evidence of effectiveness (scientifically supported, some evidence, expert opinion, insufficient evidence, mixed evidence, evidence of ineffectiveness). Includes alcohol and drug use and tobacco use.

Prevention Action Alliance
Ohio Center for Coalition Excellence
Technical assistance for local drug use prevention coalitions.

U.S. Department of Justice
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Model Programs Guide
Searchable database that rates the strength of evidence of effectiveness (effective, promising, no effects) for a wide range of child welfare and juvenile justice programs. Includes reviews of over 80 programs in the “substance abuse prevention” category.

Washington State Institute for Public Policy
Washington State Institute for Public Policy Benefit-Cost Results
Literature reviews and benefit cost analyses of a wide variety of health and human services programs, including substance use disorder prevention and treatment.

Opioid addiction prevention: Opioid prescribing and pain management

The Lancet Commissions, 2022
Responding to the opioid crisis in North America and beyond: recommendations of the Stanford–Lancet Commission Recommendations from a Commission of scholars and experts from the USA and Canada to improve outcomes related to the opioid epidemic nationally and prevent the epidemic and its impacts from spreading internationally.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2021
Prescribing Guidelines – Factsheet
Guidelines for prescribing opioids for chronic pain by the CDC, including initiation, selection, dosage, duration, follow-up and discontinuation.

Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Training and Technical Resource Center, 2020
Prescription Monitoring Program Model Act 2020
Model act for states to use in establishing prescription drug monitoring programs.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2020
Safe Opioid Prescription Guidelines
Guidelines on safe opioid prescribing, including links to resources on proper use, Medicare Part D and prescription tools and trainings.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2019
HHS Guide for Clinicians on the Appropriate Dosage Reduction or Discontinuation of Long-Term Opioid Analgesics
Guidance for clinicians who are contemplating or initiating a reduction in opioid dosage or discontinuation of long-term opioid therapy for chronic pain.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2019
Medicaid Strategies for Non-Opioid Pharmacologic and Non-Pharmacologic Chronic Pain Management
Informational Bulletin describing for state Medicaid programs on coverage pathways  for both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic chronic pain management therapies. The Bulletin highlights currently existing non-opioid chronic pain management state programs, including examples from Virginia, Vermont, Oregon, and California.

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, 2019
Pain Management for People with Serious Illness in the Context of the Opioid Use Disorder Epidemic
Report that explores the tension felt by clinicians, patients and their families who are caught between the responses to the opioid epidemic and the need to manage pain, and recommends potential policy opportunities to address this issue.

Pain Management Best Practices Inter-Agency Task Force, 2019
Pain Management Best Practices Inter-Agency Task Force Report: Updates, Gaps, Inconsistencies, and Recommendations
Report that identifies gaps in or inconsistencies between best practices for acute and chronic pain management and proposes updates and recommendations to those best practices.

UpToDate, 2018 Prescription of Opioids for Acute Pain in Opioid Naïve Patients
Guidelines to assist physicians in minimizing long-term opioid pain management for patients who have not received opioids in the 30 days prior to an acute event or surgery.

American Academy of Family Physicians, 2017
Practice Guideline: Management of Chronic Pain and Opioid Misuse: A Position Paper from the AAFP (actual text is not available for free; must order)
Practice guidelines for managing chronic pain and opioid misuse.

American College of Physicians, 2017
Noninvasive Treatments for Acute, Subacute, and Chronic Low Back Pain: A Clinical Practice Guideline from the American College of Physicians
Clinical recommendations for use of non-pharmacological pain management methods, such as superficial heat, exercise, acupuncture, mindfulness-based stress reduction, tai chi, yoga and spinal manipulation, and non-opioid medications such as anti-inflammatory drugs and muscle relaxants.

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, 2017
Pain Management and the Opioid Epidemic: Balancing Societal and Individual Benefits and Risks of Prescription Opioid Use
Report to inform the FDA on evidence around prescription opioid abuse, including prevention, management and intervention, as well as to make recommendations on the options available to the FDA to address the opioid overdose epidemic. See also: Confronting Pain Management and the Opioid Epidemic—Interactive Guide

The National Center for Addiction and Substance Abuse, 2017
Ending the Opioid Crisis: A Practical Guide for State Policymakers
Specific recommendations for state policymakers to prevent opioid misuse and addiction, reduce overdose deaths, improve addiction treatment and improve addiction care in the criminal justice system.

Penn Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, 2017
Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs: Evolution and evidence
Policy brief that summarizes best practices for PDMPs and current evidence of effectiveness.

Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Training and Technical Resource Center, 2017
Tracking PDMP Enhancement: The Best Practice Checklist
Guidelines for states to use as a self-assessment tool when planning further enhancements to their PDMPs. This checklist was pilot-tested in Ohio and Oklahoma in 2013. For additional PDMP-related guidance, see the PDMP TTAC website

Veterans Health Administration, 2017
Acute Pain Management: Meeting the Challenges
Guide for clinicians on appropriate opioid prescribing and non-pharmacologic approaches for acute pain.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2016
CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain
Guidance for primary care clinicians, developed by an expert panel, on the appropriate use of opioids for chronic pain outside of cancer treatment, palliative care or end-of-life care.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2016
Nonopioid Treatments for Chronic Pain
Fact sheet for healthcare providers summarizing effective non-pharmacologic and non-opioid therapy options for common chronic pain conditions (outside of cancer treatment, palliative care and end-of-life care.) Includes exercise, cognitive behavioral therapy and biofeedback.

Ohio Governor’s Cabinet Opiate Action Team, 2016
Ohio Guideline for Management of Acute Pain Outside of Emergency Departments

Voluntary guidelines for prescribers on the management of acute pain and prescribing of self-administered medications for acute pain, delineating a standardized process that includes key checkpoints for the clinician to pause and take additional factors into consideration.

The Pew Charitable Trusts, 2016
Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs: Evidence-based Practices to Optimize Prescriber Use
Report that describes eight evidence-based practices aimed at increasing prescriber utilization of PDMPs.

American Dental Association, 2015
The American Dental Association (ADA) Practical Guide to Substance Use Disorders and Safe Prescribing (actual text is not available for free; must order)
Guidelines for dentists to detect and deter substance use disorders and drug diversion, prescribing complexities and treating patients with substance use disorders.

Ohio Governor’s Cabinet Opiate Action Team, 2015
Summary: Progressive Opioid Prescribing Guidelines for a Safer Ohio
Concise matrix describing the prescribing limitations, relevant OARRS recommendations and quarterly measures for Ohio’s prescribing guidelines pertaining to emergency department and acute care facilities, chronic pain and acute pain outside of emergency department.

American Pain Society, 2014
Clinical Practice Guideline: Methadone Safety: A Clinical Practice Guideline From the American Pain Society and College on Problems of Drug Dependence
Clinical practice guidelines on safer prescribing of methadone for treatment of opioid addiction and chronic pain a systematic based on a review of research on safety of methadone.

Ohio Governor’s Cabinet Opiate Action Team, 2012 (updated 2014)
Ohio Guidelines for Emergency and Acute Care Facility Opioid and Other Controlled Substances Prescribing 
Voluntary guidelines for prescribers at emergency/acute care facilities regarding appropriate use of opioids and other controlled substances for acute pain, chronic pain and acute exacerbations of chronic pain.

Ohio Governor’s Cabinet Opiate Action Team, 2013
Ohio Guidelines for Prescribing Opioids for the Treatment of Chronic Non-Terminal Pain 
Voluntary guidelines for prescribers on the management of chronic, non-terminal pain, including specification of a “trigger point” when clinicians should pause and reassess the appropriate dose.

Institute of Medicine (now National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine), 2011
Relieving Pain in America: A Blueprint for Transforming Prevention, Care, Education and Research
Consensus study report that summarizes available research on pain and pain relief, and makes recommendations for a comprehensive approach to pain prevention, treatment and research.

American Pain Society, 2009
Clinical Practice Guideline: Clinical Guidelines for the Use of Chronic Opioid Therapy in Chronic Noncancer Pain
Clinical practice guidelines for chronic opioid therapy for carefully selected and monitored patients with chronic noncancer pain. Includes guidance on patient selection and risk stratification; informed consent and opioid management plans; initiation and titration of chronic opioid therapy; use of methadone; monitoring of patients on chronic opioid therapy; dose escalations, high-dose opioid therapy, opioid rotation, and indications for discontinuation of therapy; prevention and management of opioid-related adverse effects; driving and work safety; identifying a medical home and when to obtain consultation; management of breakthrough pain; chronic opioid therapy in pregnancy; and opioid-related polices.

Alcohol misuse prevention

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism’s CollegeAIM, 2019
Planning Alcohol Interventions Using NIAAA’s CollegeAIM Alcohol Intervention Matrix
Report that contains evidence-based interventions to inform and guide college officials on creating strategies to reduce underage drinking and alcohol-related harm on campuses.

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, 2018
Unhealthy Alcohol Use in Adolescents and Adults: Screening and Behavioral Counseling Interventions
Recommendations for clinicians, developed by an independent expert panel, on appropriate and effective use of screening and brief counseling to reduce alcohol misuse among adults and adolescents.

Trust for America’s Health, 2017
Pain in the Nation: The Drug, Alcohol and Suicide Crisis and the Need for a National Resilience Strategy
Report that includes list of evidence-based and promising policies and programs prevent excessive drinking (see Section 4 and Appendix A).

American Academy of Pediatrics, 2010
Policy Statement: Alcohol Use by Youth and Adolescents: A Pediatric Concern
Recommendations related to screening and treating alcohol abuse in adolescents.

National Institute on Abuse and Alcoholism, 2005
Clinician’s Guide: Helping Patients Who Drink Too Much: A Clinician’s Guide
Guidelines for primary care and mental health clinicians on screening and intervention for patients who abuse alcohol.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
The Community Guide
Systematic reviews of community preventive services, including strategies to prevent excessive alcohol consumption and tobacco use.

Tobacco use prevention

American Heart Association (and several other organizations), 2019
Tobacco 21: Model Policy
Sample policy created by a consortium of national public health organizations to guide state and local jurisdictions on the development of policies to increase the minimum legal sales age for tobacco products. Addresses licensing, definitions, enforcement and other topics.

American Cancer Society, 2018
The American Cancer Society public health statement on eliminating combustible tobacco use in the United States
Policy statement that sets forth strategies to keep future generations from initiating the use of tobacco.

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, 2018
Public Health Consequences of E-Cigarettes
Consensus study report that summarizes the current state of evidence regarding what is known about health effects, initiation and cessation of combustible tobacco cigarette use and harm reduction.

Health Policy Institute of Ohio, 2017
State Policy Options Fact Sheet: Reduce Tobacco Use and Secondhand Smoke Exposure
Fact sheet that identifies four policy options to reduce tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure based upon availability of strong evidence of effectiveness and relevance to Ohio’s state policy landscape.

Public Health Law Center, 2016
Tobacco 21: Tips and Tools
Technical assistance developed by the Tobacco Control Legal Consortium to advise jurisdictions on the policy implications of changes to the minimum legal sales age for tobacco products.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014
Best Practices for Comprehensive Tobacco Control Programs
Recommendations from the CDC on evidence-based policies and programs states can implement to reduce tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure.

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Innovations Exchange
Searchable database that rates the strength of evidence of effectiveness (strong, moderate, suggestive) for a wide range of clinical health care innovations.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Community Health Improvement Navigator Database of Interventions
Searchable compendium of interventions, focused primarily on chronic disease prevention, including tobacco prevention and cessation. (Does not specifically address addiction to other drugs.)

Treatment

General addiction treatment

Health Affairs, 2020
Contingency Management: A Highly Effective Treatment For Substance Use Disorders And The Legal Barriers That Stand In Its Way
An overview of the evidence of effectiveness for contingency management to improve outcomes for people with a substance use disorder.

Ohio Department of Health, 2020
2020-2022 State Health Improvement Plan
Recommendations to reduce drug dependence/abuse and overdose deaths, including strategies to improve behavioral health access, system quality and workforce, based on a review of research evidence and input from Ohio stakeholders.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 2020
Providers Clinical Support System 
A national training and clinical mentoring project to train health professionals on providing effective, evidence-based, MAT to patients with OUD.

National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP), 2018
Case Study: How Indiana Addresses Its Health Care Workforce Challenges 
A NASHP article describing how Indiana has leveraged state agency data to increase and adjust the prevalence of healthcare workers in areas of the state with shortages of providers, including addiction treatment providers.

Preventive Medicine, 2017
A review of the literature on contingency management in the treatment of substance use disorders, 2009–2014
Systematic review reporting on the effectiveness of voucher and related monetary-based contingency management (CM) interventions for substance use disorders.

Trust for America’s Health, 2017
Pain in the Nation: The Drug, Alcohol and Suicide Crisis and the Need for a National Resilience Strategy
Report that includes list of evidence-based and promising policies and programs to reduce drug and alcohol misuse, including strategies to improve the behavioral health system (see Section 4).

Office of the Surgeon General, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2016
Facing Addiction in America
Chapter 4: Early Intervention, Treatment and Management of Substance Use Disorders
Summarizes research findings on the effectiveness of treatment interventions and services, including early intervention, Medication-Assisted Treatment, behavioral therapies, telehealth/telemedicine and drug courts.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and U.S. Department of Defense, 2015
Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Substance Use Disorders
Clinical practice guidelines from the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense, based on a systematic review of both clinical and epidemiological evidence, developed by a panel of multidisciplinary experts. It recommends various treatment options while rating both the quality of the evidence and the strength of the recommendation. (Recommendations begin on page 25.)

National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2012
Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research-Based Guide, Third Edition
Resource for healthcare providers, family members and other stakeholders that succinctly describes 13 principles of effective treatment for addiction to nicotine, alcohol and illicit and prescription drugs.

American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM)
ASAM Criteria (actual text is not available for free; must order)
A set of guidelines for placement, continued stay, transfer or discharge of patients with addiction or co-occurring conditions.

Cochrane Collaboration
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
Searchable database of systematic reviews on wide range of healthcare topics, including a “Tobacco, drugs and alcohol” category.

National Alliance for Model State Drug Laws
Model policies intended to fill gaps in the continuum of care, eliminate problems in obtaining needed treatment and increase early intervention and treatment.

See also: SAMHSA series: Treatment Improvement Protocols (TIPS)

Virginia Medicaid, Department of Medical Assistance Services and Virginia Commonwealth University
ARTS (Addiction Recovery Treatment Services) Policy Briefs 
Policy briefs and reports on the ARTS program run by Virginia Medicaid to increase access to treatment for Medicaid members with opioid and other substance use disorders using the section 1115 Demonstration waiver from the Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services.

Opioid addiction treatment

University of Pennsylvania Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, 2022
Lowering the Barriers to Medication Treatment for People with Opioid Use Disorder: Evidence for a Low-Threshold Approach
An issue brief discussing the barriers to treatment for opioid use disorder, the evidence supporting a “low-threshold” approach for MAT and areas for future research.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2021
Buprenorphine Quick Start Pocket Guide
Concise guide for physicians on best practices for use of Buprenorphine for the treatment of opioid use disorder.

American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), 2020
National Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder
Updated guidance for clinicians, developed by an independent committee of experts, on the appropriate and effective use of medications (methadone, buprenorphine/Suboxone, naltrexone/Vivitrol) and psychosocial methods to evaluate and treat opioid use disorder and opioid overdose.

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM), 2019
Medications for Opioid Use Disorder Save Lives
Expert consensus statement on the effectiveness of medication-based treatment for opioid use disorder, included best treatment practices in different care settings and best practices for treating different populations, such as pregnant women, racial and ethnic minority populations, and individuals with comorbidities.

Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 2018
The national implementation of Contingency Management (CM) in the Department of Veterans Affairs: Attendance at CM sessions and substance use outcomes
An academic article reporting attendance and substance use outcomes for contingency management programs at the Department of Veterans Affairs compared to outcomes in controlled clinical trials.

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), 2017
A Public Health Response to Opioid Use in Pregnancy
Recommendations for a public health response to opiate use and abuse in pregnancy.

American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), 2017
ASAM Consensus Document on Drug Testing in Clinical Addiction Medicine
Guidance for clinicians about the effective use of drug testing in the identification, diagnosis, treatment and promotion of recovery for patients with, or at risk for, addiction.

American Society of Addiction Medicine and the American Congress of Obstetrician and Gynecologists, 2017
Opioid Use and Opioid Use Disorder in Pregnancy
This committee opinion is a resource for clinicians in obstetrics and gynecology related to opioid screening and prescribing.

BMJ, 2017
Mortality risk during and after opioid substitution treatment: systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies
Systematic review reporting on the effectiveness of opioid substitution treatment (methadone and buprenorphine) at reducing the risk of all cause and overdose mortality.

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), 2016
Medication-Assisted Treatment of Adolescents with Opioid Use Disorders
Recommendations for MAT of adolescents with opioid use disorders.

Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2016
Best Practices for Addressing Prescription Opioid Overdoses, Misuse and Addiction (information bulletin for state Medicaid programs)
Describes Medicaid pharmacy benefit management strategies for mitigating prescription drug abuse, such as provider education, preferred drug lists, clinical criteria, prior authorization, quantity limits and increased use of Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs). Also addresses strategies state Medicaid programs can take to increase provision of naloxone for overdose reversal and access to opioid use disorder treatment.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2015
Clinical Use of Extended-Release Injectable Naltrexone in the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder: A Brief Guide
Guidance for clinicians, developed by a consensus panel, on the appropriate and effective use of injectable naltrexone (Vivitrol).

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2015
Federal Guidelines for Opioid Treatment Programs
Description of minimum acceptable standards for opioid treatment programs (OTPs)—treatment providers that administer methadone and/or buprenorphine (Suboxone)—developed by a panel of experts.

American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), 2013
ASAM Criteria (actual text is not available for free; must order)
Comprehensive set of guidelines for placement, continued stay and transfer/discharge of patients with addiction and co-occurring conditions. Designed for addiction treatment providers serving adolescents and adults.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2012
Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Addiction in Opioid Treatment Programs (OTP): A Treatment Improvement Protocol
Detailed best-practice guidelines, developed by a consensus panel, to inform Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs)—treatment providers that administer methadone, buprenorphine (Suboxone), LAAM or naltrexone (Vivitrol).

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2004
Clinical Guidelines for the Use of Buprenorphine in the Treatment of Opioid Addiction: A Treatment Improvement Protocol
Detailed best-practice guidelines, developed by a consensus panel, to inform use of buprenorphine in opioid addiction treatment.

Alcohol misuse treatment

American Society for Addiction Medicine (ASAM), 2020
The ASAM Clinical Practice Guideline on Alcohol Withdrawal Management
Clinical practice guideline on alcohol withdrawal management.

American Psychiatric Association, 2018
Practice Guideline for the Pharmacological Treatment of Patients with Alcohol Use Disorder
Guidance for clinicians based on a review of the research evidence. Includes specific recommendations on Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) and nonpharmacological therapies for patients who are seeking to reduce their alcohol consumption or achieve abstinence.

Alcohol Research and Health, 2011
The Community Reinforcement Approach: An Update of the Evidence
Report providing evidence for two off-shoots of the community reinforcement approach for adolescents and treatment-refusing individuals and their families.

American Academy of Pediatrics, 2010
Policy Statement: Alcohol Use by Youth and Adolescents: A Pediatric Concern
Recommendations related to screening and treating alcohol abuse in adolescents.

American Academy of Family Physicians
Addressing Alcohol Use practice manual: An Alcohol Screening and Brief Intervention Program
A practice manual for clinicians to implement alcohol screening and brief intervention into their practices.

Cocaine, methamphetamine and other psycho-stimulant use treatment

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 2020
Evidence-Based Resource Guide Series: Treatment of Stimulant Disorders
SAMHSA guide on evidence-based treatment for stimulant use disorders, including guidance on selecting and implementing evidence-based treatment practices.

PLOS Medicine, 2018
Comparative efficacy and acceptability of psychosocial interventions for individuals with cocaine and amphetamine addiction: A systematic review and network meta-analysis
Systematic review reporting on the efficacy of psychosocial interventions to treat cocaine and/or amphetamine use to inform patients, clinicians and policymakers decision-making on interventions.

National Institute on Drug Abuse, updated 2016
Cocaine
Research report which includes summary of effective approaches to cocaine addiction treatment.

National Institute on Drug Abuse, updated 2013
Methamphetamine
Research report which includes summary of effective approaches to methamphetamine addiction treatment.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1999
Treatment of Stimulant Use Disorders (Treatment Improvement Protocol No. 33)
Guidance for substance use disorder treatment providers on appropriate treatment of stimulant abuse and dependence, including addiction to cocaine and methamphetamine.

Tobacco use cessation and treatment

Office of the Surgeon General, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2020
Smoking Cessation: A Report of the Surgeon General
Surgeon General report on tobacco prevention and cessation, including clinical, system and population-level strategies for smoking cessation.

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, 2020
Tobacco Use in Children and Adolescents: Primary Care Interventions
Recommendations for primary care clinicians, developed by an independent expert panel, on appropriate and effective use of education and brief counseling for tobacco cessation (nicotine addiction treatment) for children and adolescents.

American College of Cardiology, 2018
2018 ACC Expert Consensus Decision Pathway on Tobacco Cessation Treatment
Expert consensus statement that provides a comprehensive approach for healthcare providers to evaluate and treat tobacco dependence.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2017
Health Care Professionals: Help Your Patients Quit Smoking
Recommendations and resources for mental health care clinicians form the CDC on promoting tobacco cessation during mental health treatment.

Health Policy Institute of Ohio, 2017
State Policy Options Fact Sheet: Reduce tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure
Fact sheet that identifies four policy options to reduce tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure based upon availability of strong evidence of effectiveness and relevance to Ohio’s state policy landscape.

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, 2015
Tobacco Smoking Cessation in Adults, Including Pregnant Women: Behavioral and Pharmacotherapy Interventions
Recommendations for clinicians, developed by an independent expert panel, on appropriate and effective use of screening, behavioral counseling and FDA-approved medications for tobacco cessation for adults.

American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, 2009
ASHP Therapeutic Position Statement on the Cessation of Tobacco Use
Explains epidemiology of tobacco use and health consequences. Presents strategies for promoting tobacco cessation and explains the health benefits of tobacco cessation.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Community Health Improvement Navigator Database of Interventions
Searchable compendium of interventions, focused primarily on chronic disease prevention, including tobacco prevention and cessation. (Does not specifically address addiction to other drugs.)

Smoking Cessation: A Report of the Surgeon General

The 6/18 InitiativeEvidence summaries for clinical prevention and treatment interventions to address high-burden health conditions, including tobacco use. (Does not specifically address addiction to other drugs.)

General addiction recovery services and supports

National Alliance for Recovery (NARR) Residences, 2017 (revised from 2015)
NARR Standard Version 2.0 (Domains, core principles and standards)
A checklist of specific measures to be used by recovery residences (recovery housing) related to the administration of the residence and creating a supportive environment for recovery.

National Alliance for Recovery (NARR) Residences, 2016
NARR Code of Ethics
Code of ethics for recovery residence (recovery housing) owners, operators, staff and volunteers.

Office of the Surgeon General, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2016
Facing Addiction in America
Chapter 5: Recovery: The Many Paths to Wellness
Summarizes research findings on the effectiveness of approaches used by mutual aid groups (such as 12-step groups) and recovery support services (such as peer recovery coaching, recovery housing).

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2009
What are Peer Recovery Support Services?
Description of models of peer recovery support services.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2000
Integrating Substance Abuse Treatment and Vocational Services (Treatment Improvement Protocol Series)
Best practice guidelines regarding vocational services to increase employment among substance abuse treatment clients.

Cochrane Collaboration
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
Searchable database of systematic reviews on wide range of healthcare topics, including a “Tobacco, drugs and alcohol” category.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
SAMHSA-HRSA Center for Integrated Health Solutions: Peer Providers
Guidance for peer service providers on roles of providers in integrated health care, billing for peer provided services and other issues.

Last updated 6.15.2022. Resources on this page will not be updated after 2022.

Prevention
Treatment

Address

Contact

Evidence resource page: Prevention, treatment and recovery

This resource page contains the following sections:

Prevention

Opioid addiction prevention: Opioid prescribing and pain management

Alcohol misuse prevention

Tobacco use prevention

Treatment

General addiction treatment

Opioid addiction treatment

Alcohol misuse treatment

Cocaine, methamphetamine and other psycho-stimulant use treatment

Tobacco use cessation and treatment

General addiction recovery services and supports

Table of Contents

Address

Contact

Evidence resource page: Prevention, treatment and recovery

This resource page contains the following sections:

Prevention

Opioid addiction prevention: Opioid prescribing and pain management

Alcohol misuse prevention

Tobacco use prevention

Treatment

General addiction treatment

Opioid addiction treatment

Alcohol misuse treatment

Cocaine, methamphetamine and other psycho-stimulant use treatment

Tobacco use cessation and treatment

General addiction recovery services and supports

Table of Contents

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