Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment
Volume 31, Issue 1 , Pages 25-39, July 2006

Disseminating evidence-based practices in substance abuse treatment: A review with suggestions

  • William R. Miller, Ph.D.

      Affiliations

    • Department of Psychology, MSC03 2220, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001, USA
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author.
    • ,
  • James L. Sorensen, Ph.D.

      Affiliations

    • University of California–San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
    • ,
  • Jeffrey A. Selzer, M.D.

      Affiliations

    • Zucker Hillside Hospital, Glen Oaks, NY, USA
    • ,
  • Gregory S. Brigham, Ph.D.

      Affiliations

    • Maryhaven, Columbus, OH, USA

Received 20 March 2006; received in revised form 20 March 2006; accepted 20 March 2006.

Abstract 

Although substance abuse professionals are generally open to new and better therapeutic methods, most evidence-based treatments do not easily find their way into practice. Natural diffusion processes for innovations in substance abuse treatments are relatively informal and have yielded a widely acknowledged gap between science and community practice. This review focuses on methods for effectively disseminating new treatment methods into practice. Therapist manuals and one-time workshops are in themselves relatively ineffective in helping practitioners gain proficiency in new clinical approaches. Individual performance feedback and coaching improve the acquisition of clinical skills. Specific incentives for implementation may also be needed to encourage treatment providers, programs, and systems to adopt new approaches.

Keywords: Diffusion, Dissemination, Evidence-based practice, Addiction, Evidence-based treatment

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PII: S0740-5472(06)00085-7

doi:10.1016/j.jsat.2006.03.005

Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment
Volume 31, Issue 1 , Pages 25-39, July 2006

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