Article type
Year
Abstract
Background: An increasing body of evidence for interventions in the Drug Addiction field is becoming available due to the decennial activity of the Cochrane Group on Drugs and Alcohol. The European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) created an inventory of National Guidelines for the Treatment of Drug Addiction by collecting information on 30 European Countries. A preliminary analysis of the guidelines provided an overview of of the recommendations for treatment. It also offers the basis for further efforts aimed at promoting an evidence-based approach across Europe in this area of work.
Objectives: To describe the existing guidelines for drug addiction treatment in 30 European countries in terms of target clients, interventions and to perform a benchmark exercise focused on 15 recommendations.
Methods: Guidelines were collected through a two-round survey and an international experts meeting. The EMCDDAás network of national focal points performed a benchmark exercise comparing 15 recommendations from an evidence-based guideline (WHO 2009) with similar recommendations in their National Treatment Guidelines.
Results: 141 national treatment guidelines from 27 out of 30 countries were identified and obtained in full text (availableat http://www.emcdda.europa.eu/best-practice). Almost half of them (66/141) are about opioid dependence and 55 have Methadone Maintenance as the main treatment. Overall recommendations are similar across guidelines such as the recommendation for an integrated package of long term substitution treatment combined with psychological support. Difference exists in the process for the development of the guidelines as some of them are evidence-based while others use experts consensus. Divergence exists with regard to the choice between Buprenorphine or Methadone for first-line treatment and the drugs dosages.
Conclusions: The study is a collection and inventory of practice guidelines for the treatment of drug addiction. Further studies are needed to assess the methodological validity of the guidelines by the mean of standardized tools such as AGREEII.
Objectives: To describe the existing guidelines for drug addiction treatment in 30 European countries in terms of target clients, interventions and to perform a benchmark exercise focused on 15 recommendations.
Methods: Guidelines were collected through a two-round survey and an international experts meeting. The EMCDDAás network of national focal points performed a benchmark exercise comparing 15 recommendations from an evidence-based guideline (WHO 2009) with similar recommendations in their National Treatment Guidelines.
Results: 141 national treatment guidelines from 27 out of 30 countries were identified and obtained in full text (availableat http://www.emcdda.europa.eu/best-practice). Almost half of them (66/141) are about opioid dependence and 55 have Methadone Maintenance as the main treatment. Overall recommendations are similar across guidelines such as the recommendation for an integrated package of long term substitution treatment combined with psychological support. Difference exists in the process for the development of the guidelines as some of them are evidence-based while others use experts consensus. Divergence exists with regard to the choice between Buprenorphine or Methadone for first-line treatment and the drugs dosages.
Conclusions: The study is a collection and inventory of practice guidelines for the treatment of drug addiction. Further studies are needed to assess the methodological validity of the guidelines by the mean of standardized tools such as AGREEII.