Effectiveness Bank web site Additions
Supported by  Alcohol Research UK web site   Society for the Study of Addiction web site
Effectiveness Bank additions 17 October 2016
No reliable evidence that antipsychotic drugs reduce cocaine use, despite the scientific rationale for treating dependence by relieving the psychiatric symptoms and physiological effects of cocaine. Brief counselling in primary care has led to greater reductions in drinking (among risky drinkers), compared to screening and assessment; but, whether the generally small impacts would be sustained in routine practice is uncertain. Based on the yardstick of successful treatment completions, no assurance that recovery-oriented redesigns in prisons and in the community would improve recovery outcomes. Practitioners in four London Boroughs have welcomed an enforced sobriety scheme for alcohol-related offenders – an additional ‘tool in the box’ of community sentences helping to support a period of abstinence which could break the cycle of routine risky drinking.

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No antipsychotic antidote to cocaine dependence
If cocaine dependence is a brain disease, then we should be able to find brain-affecting chemicals to reverse it. In respect of antipsychotic drugs, that search has proved a fruitless dead end, pronounced this authoritative review. Psychosocial therapies remain the mainstay of treatment.

Primary care counselling of risky drinkers reduces drinking
Amalgamated findings from risky drinkers identified in primary care settings indicate that supplementing screening/assessment with (especially multi-session) brief counselling generates greater reductions in drinking and on some measures also improves health. It is unclear whether the generally small impacts would be sustained in routine practice.

Treatment system redesigns yet to improve recovery indicator
Based on the yardstick of successful treatment completions, government-funded research in England offers no assurance that recovery-oriented redesigns of local treatment systems have generated more or more rapid recovery from addiction than usual arrangements. Evidence was stronger for focused attempts to improve continuity of care for offenders.

Enforced sobriety scheme for offenders piloted in London
A 12-month feasibility study of the Alcohol Abstinence Monitoring Requirement in four London boroughs has offered useful insights to inform the expansion of the scheme, and contributes to awareness about the use of sobriety orders and the technology that underpin them in a UK context.

The Alcohol and Drug Treatment Matrices: core research selected and explored
Alcohol matrix for alcohol brief interventions and treatment
Drug matrix for harm reduction and treatment in relation to illegal drugs

The Drug and Alcohol Findings Effectiveness Bank offers a free mailing list service updating subscribers to UK-relevant evaluations of drug/alcohol interventions. Findings is supported by Alcohol Research UK and the Society for the Study of Addiction and advised by the National Addiction Centre and the Federation of Drug and Alcohol Professionals.