What do we mean by Practices?
- Confusion abounds between the new catch phrases connected to addiction treatment:
- Evidence-based
- Best-practices
- Service-to-science approaches
- Science-based
- In addition to the above confusion, add the differences in language between practice, interventions, techniques, programs, curriculum and manuals, quality improvement and organizational change terminology and it is hard to sort through what might have value for practical application in the field.
- Practices are more connected to organizational decisions to improve the overall success of how the agency provides effective treatment. An agency may work to improve client access to treatment as a practice change, as well as engagement, retention, and aftercare options.
- Manuals and curriculum specific to particular types of interventions and theories may provide a plan for therapeutic work in a particular agency or be the choice of a particular clinician. There are pros and cons related to manuals and curriculum that are connected to a clinician's particular style of working with clients.
- Evidence-based is connected to science-based research
- Best-practices may or may not be directly connect to evidence and science or in the initial stages of showing promise in the field.
