Scoping review of managed alcohol programs.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Addiction Medicine
• Social Work

Background:

• Managed alcohol programs (MAPs) are an emerging harm reduction strategy for individuals with severe alcohol use disorder (AUD) experiencing homelessness.
• MAPs provide structured alcohol consumption and social services, gaining acceptance when abstinence-based approaches fail.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a scoping review of studies evaluating MAPs for individuals with AUD.
• To identify factors associated with successful MAPs regarding client outcomes, client fit, and community integration.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search across multiple databases (PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, etc.) and gray literature.
• Inclusion of 32 studies, with data extraction and independent screening.
• Contacting experts to ensure comprehensive study identification.

Main Results:

• Findings categorized into client outcomes, client experience, feasibility/fit, and implementation recommendations.
• 38 established MAPs identified, with 9 featured in the literature, primarily in Canada.
• Research on MAP feasibility and fit also noted in Australia, Poland, the USA, and the UK.

Conclusions:

• MAPs represent a promising, targeted intervention for severe AUD and homelessness, grounded in harm reduction principles.
• Growing literature indicates a need for systematic measures to assess MAP effectiveness and risks.
• Longitudinal research designs evaluating health and housing outcomes are recommended for future MAP evaluations.