Best practice approaches for alcohol and other drug treatment in residential settings: an evidence check and member consult commissioned by the Network of Alcohol and other Drugs Agencies (NADA) - October 2020

In 2007, the NSW Ministry of Health, in partnership with the Network of Alcohol and other Drugs Agencies (NADA), produced the Drug and Alcohol Treatment Guidelines for Residential Settings. These guidelines provided recommendations for the provision of residential treatment for people with AOD use disorders, to increase the effectiveness and improve treatment outcomes. A brief consultation of NADA member non government organisation providers of AOD treatment in residential settings was conducted in 2019 to establish the utility of the guidelines and whether an updated and more practice oriented version would be beneficial for workers and organisations in the sector. Feedback indicated that an updated guideline and/or a practice guide would be useful to the sector in providing guidance on best practice approaches and elements in AOD treatment provided in residential settings. In response, NADA commissioned The University of Sydney’s Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use (The Matilda Centre) to undertake an evidence check and member consultation, to inform the development of updated guidelines and/or a practice guide.