Implementation of evidence-based substance use disorder continuing care interventions

Area of Science:

• Addiction Medicine
• Implementation Science
• Public Health

Background:

• Continuing care improves substance use disorder treatment outcomes.
• Patient participation in continuing care and mutual help groups remains low.
• A significant gap exists between evidence-based interventions (EBIs) and current clinical practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review literature on continuing care treatment, monitoring, and mutual help group promotion using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR).
• To identify barriers and facilitators for implementing EBIs in substance use disorder continuing care.
• To discuss implications for enhancing the delivery of continuing care.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review utilizing the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR).
• Analysis of existing research on the implementation of evidence-based interventions in continuing care settings.
• Examination of factors influencing patient participation and provider incentives.

Main Results:

• EBIs for continuing care are adaptable to various settings and modalities (individual, group, telephone).
• Low-cost options and knowledge of differential effectiveness across populations are available.
• Lack of information on incentives within the program's outer and inner settings is a key implementation barrier.

Conclusions:

• Successful implementation of EBIs in continuing care requires addressing incentives and contextual factors.
• Adaptability and varied delivery methods of EBIs offer potential for wider adoption.
• Further research and direct implementation trials are needed to bridge the gap between EBIs and clinical practice.