Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Investigating Drivers of Antireward in Addiction Behavior with Anatomically Specific Single-Cell Gene Expression Methods
Published on: August 4, 2022
Practitioners' attitudes concerning evidence-based guidelines in Belgian substance abuse treatment
Mieke Autrique1, Wouter Vanderplasschen, Eric Broekaert
1Association for Alcohol and Other Drug Use (VAD), Brussels, Belgium. mieke.autrique@vad.be
Background/Aim:
Evidence-based guidelines for substance abuse treatment are available in many European countries. In Belgium, no such guidelines have been developed yet at a national level although their need has repeatedly been emphasized. This study aims to assess Belgian practitioners' attitudes concerning evidence-based guidelines for substance abuse treatment.
Methods:
A survey was conducted with clinical coordinators in a representative sample of 60 agencies dispensing specialized treatment to alcohol and drug abusers.
Results:
The study revealed that evidence-based guidelines are rarely used in substance abuse treatment in Belgium, but that many agencies use self-developed guidelines. The attitude concerning evidence-based guidelines is mainly positive. Practitioners' concerns mostly relate to the risk of disregarding their clients' needs and the constraining character of using evidence-based guidelines. The study also reveals some barriers concerning the implementation of evidence-based guidelines and suggests some strategies to overcome them.
Conclusion:
Practitioners appear to be prepared to work with evidence-based guidelines. When developing, adapting and implementing evidence-based guidelines for substance abuse treatment, it is important for policy makers to take into account the state of the art in clinical practice as well as practitioners' needs and requirements.
Related Concept Videos
Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena
Drug Therapy
Antianxiety Medications
Community Based Intervention
Foundations of Community Mental Health Programs
Central to the success of community-based interventions is the...
Operant Conditioning Intervention
In operant conditioning, behaviors that are...
Treatment Strategies for Psychological Disorders
Psychological therapies focus on modifying emotions, thoughts, and behaviors through talking, interpreting, listening, rewarding, challenging, and modeling. Clinical psychologists, counselors, and social workers commonly practice psychotherapy. Clinical...
Drug Control Governance: Regulatory Bodies and Their Impact
