Prevention, treatment, and recovery supports for substance use disorders (SUD), serious mental illnesses (SMI), and serious emotional disturbances (SED) vary based on various sociodemographic factors. These differences can make it difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of programs and services that address these conditions. However, despite these factors, there is substantial evidence available to inform resources to help prevent and reduce substance use, treat SUD, lessen symptoms of mental illness, and improve quality of life.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), through a contract with Abt, developed a series of evidence-based guides and advisories detailing effective practices, programs, and other interventions that address SUD, SMI, and SED. Each guide includes an environmental scan, a systematic review and rating of evidence-based programs and practices, implementation considerations, practical suggestions, case studies, and evaluation strategies. The guides incorporate input from technical expert panel members, including scientists, researchers, service providers, community administrators, federal and state policy makers, and individuals who have been affected by SUD, SMI, and/or SED.
Each evidence-based guide also contains a comprehensive set of modules with information to improve health outcomes for people at risk for developing, living with, or recovering from SUD, SMI, and/or SED. Advisories provide behavioral health providers and others with succinct information on different behavioral health topics.
The guides and advisories are designed for practitioners, administrators, community leaders, and others considering an intervention for their organization or community. The programs, practices, and interventions in each product have an established evidence base and can be implemented in a range of communities and settings serving various populations. All products are freely available at Evidence-Based Practices Resource Center (EBRC).
Guides:
- Addressing Burnout in the Behavioral Health Workforce Through Organizational Strategies
- Connecting Communities to Substance Use Services: Practical Approaches for First Responders
- Implementing Community-Level Policies to Prevent Alcohol Misuse
- Practical Guide for Implementing a Trauma-Informed Approach
- Practical Tools for Prescribing and Promoting Buprenorphine in Primary Care Settings
- Prevention and Treatment of Anxiety, Depression, and Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors Among College Students
- Prevention and Treatment of HIV Among People Living with Substance Use and/or Mental Disorders
- Preventing Marijuana Use Among Youth
- Psychosocial Interventions for Older Adults with Serious Mental Illness
- Reducing Vaping Among Youth and Young Adults
- Telehealth for the Treatment of Serious Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorders
- Treating Concurrent Substance Use Among Adults
- Treatment Considerations for Youth and Young Adults with Serious Emotional Disturbances and Serious Mental Illnesses and Co-occurring Substance Use
- Treatment of Stimulant Use Disorder
- Treatment for Suicidal Ideation, Self-harm, and Suicide Attempts Among Youth
Advisories:
- Addressing Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors in Substance Use Treatment
- Addressing the Specific Needs of Women for Treatment of Substance Use Disorders
- Behavioral Health Services for People Who Are Homeless
- Digital Therapeutics for Management Treatment in Behavioral Health
- Expanding Implementation of Mental Health Awareness Training (MHAT) In the Workplace
- Identification and Management of Mental Health Symptoms and Conditions Associated with Long COVID
- Peer Support Services in Crisis Care
- Prescription Stimulant Misuse Among Youth and Young Adults
- Screening and Treatment of Substance Use Disorders among Adolescents
- Screening and Treatment of Viral Hepatitis in People with Substance Use Disorders
- Substance Use Disorder Treatment for People with Co-Occurring Disorders
- Treating Substance Use Disorders Among People with HIV
- Using Technology-Based Therapeutic Tools in Behavioral Health Services