Recent bulletins from the 
drug and alcohol bank:
Upbeat positive psychology: overlaps with recovery movement
and first UK trial
A first review has identified overlaps and possible synergies between the
contemporary recovery movement in addictions and the positive psychology
movement in the broader field of psychological health focused on strengths and
wellbeing. The sole effectiveness trial to date was conducted in England, a
small pilot study which found substantial remission in alcohol dependence despite
the non-substance focus of the therapy.
A related bulletin explores Applying positive psychology to alcohol-misusing adolescents: a group intervention.
US payment-by-results scheme did not improve engagement with
treatment
In 2007-08 the US state of Maine introduced a scheme linking funding for
outpatient treatment services to performance in terms of waiting times and
retention, but financial and service delivery impacts were negligible. Were
incentives too weak, or were services already doing as well as they could - and
what are the implications for UK payment-by-results [PbR] schemes?
Improving treatment systems?
A bulletin exploring how to generate better outcomes from treatment systems is available covering:
- Expert advice on how to get the treatment system working better
- Global performance feedback no use to counsellors
- Feedback on individuals helps counsellors reverse poor progress
- Common treatment quality yardstick poor reflection of patient progress
- US payment-by-results scheme did not improve engagement with treatment
- Acid test for implementing evidence-based treatment
See here for current NICE alcohol treatment guidance and commissioning resources.
The evidence for the recommendations on safe drinking is based on the nadir of the J shaped curve for consumption/mortality, but what is the evidence (as opposed to opinion) for alcohol free days. The only comment I have found is that 'the evidence is limited'
Posted by: Myles DB Stephens | Thursday, November 01, 2012 at 03:50 PM