Launched in 2013, the matrices are portals to the most important research and guidance for British treatment services and for practitioners, managers, and commissioners. Use them to train staff, for professional development, or just to re-experience the revelations made by the seminal and key studies of the past 50+ years. Familiarity with this research and guidance can be seen as a quality indicator, demonstrating that your staff and service are aware of the evidential foundations of their work.
Each matrix consists of a 5x5 table totalling 25 cells, segmenting treatment in to the major practical divisions relevant to its effectiveness and delivery. Within each cell are the main historical and contemporary research landmarks on these different aspects of treatment, reviews offering a panoramic view, expert guidance based on this research, and an option to explore beyond these dozen or so selected documents.
The matrices were developed by Drug and Alcohol Findings in collaboration with the Substance Misuse Skills Consortium to promote the development of drug and alcohol treatment services and the treatment workforce in the United Kingdom. In 2014 the Society for the Study of Addiction funded the Drug Treatment Matrix. Then both the Society and what is now Alcohol Change UK co-funded the entire project including the matrices. In 2019 Alcohol Change UK funded a refresh of the Alcohol Treatment Matrix. Completed in April 2021, this is the latest such refresh.
Alcohol Treatment Matrix
for brief interventions and treatment of alcohol-related problems including those intended to safeguard the community and reduce crime.Drug Treatment Matrix
for harm reduction and treatment of problems related to the use of illegal drugs, including treatment-based interventions to safeguard the community and reduce crime.Matrix Bites Fortnightly cell-by-cell introduction to the matrices cumulating in to a foundation course on the treatment evidence base. Each bite remains stored in the relevant matrix cell – click cell and unfold bite using link at the bottom, or go to alcohol and drug course résumés. For updates add yourself to the mailing list.
More ways to appreciate the matrices
Into the matrix Article from 2013 in Drink and Drugs News (DDN) magazine on the origins and purpose of the matrices, described by the editor as “a godsend for practitioners and commissioners”.
The treatment matrix Feature article in DrugScope’s Druglink magazine September/October 2013 (turn to page 16 of the PDF) describes how the matrices were built on the largest live drug and alcohol library in Britain and the work of the Effectiveness Bank over the past 16 years analysing UK-relevant research.
Slide presentation Drills down to one study in one of the 25 cells of the alcohol matrix, illustrating the riches to be found there and the contemporary relevance of the seminal studies.
Prezi animation Explains the the significance of the matrices and takes you on an introductory tour showing what they contain and how they can be used.
Click to view comments
International appreciation for the “fantastic”, “brilliant” matrices and matrix bites courses.
“Just read your paper [Alcohol Treatment Matrix cell C5, section “How can you prioritise the child when your patient is the parent?”], and predictably, it has blown my mind! Thanks for getting me thinking – again!”
Renato Masetti Training Co-ordinator, Health Outreach, North Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, England
“Wow, outstanding work! This [Alcohol Treatment Matrix cell B4] is one of the best, most clear and scholarly write ups I’ve seen of this complex topic.”
Dr Lisa M. Najavits Director of Treatment Innovations and adjunct professor, Massachusetts Medical School, USA
“The best one-stop site for all current research into a range of alcohol and drug issues. The treatment matrices are invaluable in terms of making most efficient use of time.”
John Thayers Recovery and Quality Improvement Officer, Midlothian and East Lothian Drugs and Alcohol Partnership (MELDAP), Scotland
“A godsend for practitioners and commissioners. Dip in and take a look – the links are all there for you to benefit from the largest live drug and alcohol library in Britain.”
Claire Brown Editor, Drink and Drugs News, UK
“Great overview [Drug Treatment Matrix row 2] of important treatment delivery fundamentals.”
Ireland Chapter of The International Nurses Society on Addictions
“I just wanted to say that I found this cell [of the Drug Treatment Matrix] and especially the commentary incredibly useful and brilliantly written.”
Renato Masetti Training Co-ordinator, Health Outreach, North Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, England
“I must admit I like the Matrix … the database is phenomenal. I only wish that it was available in the ’80s and ’90s for my respective degrees; the hours of library time it could have saved! … a tremendous piece of work, what a fantastic resource.”
Paul-John Griffiths Independent Forensic Psychologist, UK
“I am using your Matrices for all the medical students I am lecturing, guiding them there as the No. 1 resource they should go to on matters of drug and alcohol use … So thanks for an unparalleled resource!”
Shaun Shelly Addictions Division, University of Cape Town, South Africa
“Succinct, relevant reports leaving me with more hours in the week to work with clients. Saves several hours a month, especially as I am in the middle of a research project. It is invaluable to me. Matrices join everything up and deliver a kind of bottom line … superb service.”
Dr Sandy Francis lecturer, Action on Addiction and University of Bath, England and psychological therapist and supervisor, National Health Service, England
“I think it is a fantastic service and would be mortified if it was not available. The [Alcohol Treatment Matrix] was perfect for finding specific papers/research to support a key piece of work I was doing with public health, saved me masses of time as the structure led me to the key sources I needed for our baseline work.”
Jane Ward Independent Consultant and Trainer, England
“Such a unique and special resource [service as a whole and matrices]! So much work made unnecessary by your marvellous site that gathers together a balanced view and so much information relating to a wide range of topics … You are the only site I find is thorough, balanced, informative and especially – encouraging.”
Russ Hayton Nurse Consultant and Governance Lead, Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Drug and Alcohol Action Team., England
“The matrices are great, as are your Matrix Bite comments. It is a privilege to receive your pieces; great and useful job. Thank you so much.”
Dr Alain Braillon Alcohol Treatment Unit, Amiens, France
“Especially impressive are your use of older pieces of research [in the matrices] which are often forgotten (or not learned!!) by people who have not been around for a long time … important as I watch old mistakes being repeated.”
Ira Unell formerly Coordinator, Leicestershire Community Drug and Alcohol Services, England
“Hi Mike I looked at them [matrices] more in depth and I agree with Audrey!”
Glenn Richardson formerly Manager of Training and Technical Assistance, Texas Department of State Health Services, USA
“Thanks Mike, You are a freaking legend.”
Paul Dessauer Outreach Coordinator, WASAU, Perth, Australia
“Thanks for providing such a super resource [matrices].”
Barry Salaberry Addictions counsellor, British Columbia, Canada
“As a multiagency trainer in substance misuse I must have trained thousands of professionals in Suffolk, from GPs to police officers to teachers and social workers – and your work has under-pinned it all. They may not realise it, but your work has had a big impact on those who work with drug and alcohol users.”
Renato Masetti Training Co-ordinator, Health Outreach, North Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, England
“I think this section [Alcohol Treatment Matrix cell D4] is terrific and really valuable and contains some great resources. Keep up your fabulous work.”
Professor Ann M. Roche Director, National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction, Australia
“When I first came into post completing sections of the alcohol and drug treatment matrices were part of my induction. They gave me a solid knowledge base and I have recommended them to others.”
Heather Wilson Health Improvement Officer (Alcohol & Drugs), Aberdeen City Alcohol & Drug Partnership, Scotland
“Best first-port-of-call for evidence on substance misuse issues. Saves so much time in researching. Great for my role as service development lead in NHS substance misuse to keep improving what we do and how we do it. The matrices are good for staff training and for refreshing information.”
Kym Barlow Service Improvement Lead, Community Drug and Alcohol Team, Hywel Dda University Health Board, Carmarthen, Wales
“I remain astonished at your ability to integrate broad swathes of science in such an intelligent and concise fashion … thank you for your indefatigable efforts to disseminate scientific findings to a broad audience; this field would have very little impact without translators such as yourself.”
Professor Keith Humphreys Department of Psychiatry, Stanford University, USA
“I’ve been working in the drugs field for over 30 years but I am finding the concise, clear and authoritative Matrix Bites course invaluable for refreshing my knowledge and thinking, and bringing me new insights. Every Bite seems to arrive just as its subject matter is at its most pertinent and its content most needed.”
Steve Taylor Programme Manager, Alcohol, Drugs and Tobacco Division, Public Health England, England
“Absolutely brilliant site and service which I use almost every day in my work (research, education and clinical practice). Recommend matrices to everyone! I use the website for my masters module at the university and the students love it!”
Dr Anne Whittaker Senior Lecturer/Reader, School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Care, Edinburgh Napier University, Scotland and Substance Misuse Directorate, NHS Lothian, Scotland
“Fantastic resource – our student nurses have been very impressed, notably with drug and alcohol matrices.”
Pete Duffield RAID nurse, Heartlands and Solihull Hospital, West Midlands, England
“Just wanted to thank you for posting the alcohol matrix bites – we are loving them.”
Clare Davies Residential Rehabilitation Manager, Windana therapeutic community, Melbourne, Australia
“Makes skills development very accessible – love the fact that they [Drug and Alcohol Treatment Matrices] are truly bite-sized when compared to most other information circulated elsewhere.”
Gill Unstead Commissioning Manager, Devon Drug and Alcohol Action Team, England
“Succinct and erudite and written in relatively plain English for the non-cognoscenti. I am an extremely experienced commissioner and yet still find this resource [matrices] invaluable and insert it in service specifications.”
Andrew MacDonald former drug and alcohol service commissioner in London, Leeds and Salford, England and PhD Researcher, Centre for Public Health, Liverpool John Moores University, England
“I have found this resource incredibly useful. It is thought-provoking, the matrices are well laid out and offer easily accessible and comprehensive information.”
Jenny Willmott Addictions Nurse (RGN), Glasgow Addiction Services, Scotland
“Thanks also for the brilliant matrices.”
Dr Michael Taylor GP with a special interest in addictions, England and Clinical Director for Wellbeing and Mental Health, Heywood Middleton & Rochdale PCT, England
“Wow!! This [matrices] is simply too good.”
Dr Abhijit Nadkarni Addictions psychiatrist, Sangath, Goa, India and Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Fellow, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, England
“Wow – this is terrific stuff [matrices].”
Dr Audrey Freshman Director of Professional Development and Continuing Education, Adelphi University, New York, USA
“This [matrices] is a real tour de force. Brilliant.”
Mike Stewart Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion, England