Over the past few years we have observed that the terms “evidence-based practice” and “evidence-based approaches” are appearing in the addictions field, and it has become a subject that users have enquired about. Policy makers are also using these terms, and so the Society for the Study of Addiction’s 2005 Annual Symposium (held in York last week) addressed the question “If we did have an evidence-based policy and practice, what would they look like?”.

While we have always included evidence-based material in our collection, this growing interest has led us to add articles and books examining the theory of evidence and its applicability in the workplace. Preventing harmful substance use: the evidence base for policy and practice edited by T Stockwell et al. is a comprehensive summary of the best available scientific evidence for the prevention of harm from substance use, but also considers how research findings can be used effectively. Two papers from Canada, Strengthening evidence-based addictions programs: a policy discussion paper by B Reimer and ‘Improving research transfer in the addictions field: a perspective from Canada.’ by B Reimer et al., explore the terms “best practice,” “evidence-based practice” and “research transfer” within the addictions field and discuss, with Canadian examples, how to enhance the research-to-practice exchange in the addictions field, while maintaining a balance with the demands and complexities of program delivery and policy development.

‘Evidence-based guidelines for the pharmacological management of substance misuse, addiction and co-morbidity: recommendations from the British Association for Psychopharmacology’ by A.R Linford-Hughes et al. provides a comprehensive review of the evidence following explicit criteria. It is stated that there is a dearth of high quality research from which evidence-based guidelines can be drawn, but this offset by a wealth of clinical experience. In ‘A survey of clinical practices and readiness to adopt evidence-based practices: dissemination research in an addiction treatment system,’ M.P. McGovern et al. found that clinicians in New Hampshire are more motivated to adopt some evidence-based practices (12-step facilitation, cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, relapse prevention therapy) than others (contingency management, behavioural couples therapy, pharmacotherapies). Integrating science-based practices into clinical care is explored in ‘The gap between research and practice in substance abuse treatment’ by P. Marinelli-Casey et al. The authors comment upon the various factors that have kept researchers and practitioners apart, and suggest ways for research and practice to close the gap and incorporate policy makers.

On the more theoretical level, Nick Frost’s article ‘A problematic relationship?: Evidence and practice in the workplace’ examines the emergence of the evidence-led school of thought in social work and related professions and offers a critique of the approach.

For those coming across these approaches for the first time, ‘Evidence-based social work: a guide for the perplexed’ by T. Newman et al. explains the basics and focuses on the application of the evidence base. The Australian publication Systems, settings, people: workforce development challenges for the alcohol and other drugs field edited by A. Roche and J. McDonald includes sections covering Cochrane reviews and evidence-based practice; evidence-based practice tools and techniques; and evidence-based practice – from concepts to reality. Between them these sections provide an overview of evidence-based approaches while also raising the point that there is debate about the emphasis placed upon random controlled trails, and questioning whether this emphasis is detrimental to other methods such as cohort or longitudinal studies.

Finally, for those librarians working in the field of addictions, an excellent article ‘Evidence-based and best practice addiction treatment resources: a primer for librarians’ by S Lacroix, introduces concepts such as evidence-based medicine and best practice within addiction treatment and explores the information professional’s role in the dissemination of this information.

Christine Goodair
Head of Information Services

Bibliography

102238
Cochrane reviews and evidence-based practice.
White J.M.
In: Systems, settings, people: workforce development challenges for the alcohol and other drugs field. Roche A.M., McDonald J. (ed.) 2001. p.87-92.
ISBN 1876897007

106162
Evidence-based and best-practice addiction treatment resources: a primer for librarians.
Lacroix S.I.
From: Behavioral & Social Sciences Librarian: 21(1), 2002,

102442
Evidence-based guidelines for the pharmacological management of substance misuse, addiction and comorbidity: recommendations from the British Association for Psychopharmacology
Lingford-Hughes A.R., Welch S., Nutt D.J.
From: Journal of Psychopharmacology: 18(3) 2004, 293-335.

102237
Evidence-based practice: from concepts to reality.
Gowing L.
In: Systems, settings, people: workforce development challenges for the alcohol and other drugs field. Roche A.M., McDonald J. (ed.) 2001. p.77-86.
ISBN 1876897007

102239
Evidence-based practice: tools and techniques.
Fowler G.
In: Systems, settings, people: workforce development challenges for the alcohol and other drugs field. Roche A.M., McDonald J. (ed.) 2001. p.93-108.
ISBN 1876897007

106164
Evidence-based social work: a guide for the perplexed.
Newman T., Moseley A., Tierney S., Ellis A.
Lyme Regis: RHP, 2005. 175p.
ISBN 1903855551
Available from: http://www.russellhouse.co.uk

106161
The gap between research and practice in substance abuse treatment.
Martinelli-Casey P., Domier C.P., Rawson R.A.
From: Psychiatric Services: 53(8), 2002, p.984-987.
Available from: http://www.bl.uk

106088
Improving research transfer in the addictions field: a perspective from Canada.
Reimer B., Sawka E., James D.
From: Substance Use & Misuse: 40(11), 2005, p.1707-1720.

I 103227-103251
Preventing harmful substance use: the evidence base for policy and practice.
Stockwell T., Gruenewald P J., Toumbourou J W., Loxley W. (ed.)
Chichester: John Wiley, 2005. xviii, 476p.
ISBN 0470092289
Available from: www.wiley.com

106163
A problematic relationship?: evidence and practice in the workplace.
Frost N.
From: Social Work & Social Sciences Review: 10(1), 2002, p.38-50.

103571
Strengthening evidence-based addictions programs: a policy discussion paper.
Reimer B. Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse., Canada. Alberta. Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission., Canada. National Policy Working Group.
Canada: Ottowa: CCSA, 2003. 46p.

101182
A survey of clinical practices and readiness to adopt evidence-based practices: dissemination research in an addiction treatment system.
McGovern M.P., Fox T.S., Xie H., Drake R.E.
From: Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment: 26(4), 2004, p.305-312.

Most journal articles are available for document delivery. Prices and forms for our Document Delivery service can be found here.

All items may be used in the library. See here for details on how to book a visit.

You can find other items on evidence-based practice via DrugData, our online catalogue.