Month: October 2019

A consumer’s guide to research on substance use disorders (part 9)

~ Jason Schwartz

In previous posts, I explained the challenges of making sense of research and introduced 8 questions that will help readers evaluate evidence and relevance to their work, goals, and lives. Today is question #6. 8) What questions does the study not answer? No study can answer every question, nor should any study seek to every … Continue reading A consumer’s guide to research on substance use disorders (part 9)

Peer Support – does it make a difference?

~ Dr David McCartney

In many places peer support has been integrated into addiction treatment services, often with enthusiasm. What do we know about the effect of peer support though? In my own service, introduction of a structured peer support programme was associated with a sharp increase in retention (treatment completion) rates – but that’s not evidence in the … Continue reading Peer Support – does it make a difference?

“The Big 5” Substance Use Disorder Criteria

~ Brian Coon

Earlier today, Bill Stauffer posted important and interesting content about the elimination of the classic diagnostic categories separating problematic use and addiction, their replacement with a simple list of criteria, and the relative uncertainties associated with the meaning (if any) concerning the number of criteria for SUD that may be met.  That post can be … Continue reading “The Big 5” Substance Use Disorder Criteria

The blurring of distinction between addiction and abuse in the DSM – 5

~ billstaufferpa ~ 1 Comment

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) – 5 describes substance use disorders (SUD) as “a problematic pattern of using alcohol or another substance that results in impairment in daily life or noticeable distress.”  Published in 2013, it made major changes to the categorization of what had in the DSM-IV, been broken into two separate diagnoses … Continue reading The blurring of distinction between addiction and abuse in the DSM – 5

A consumer’s guide to research on substance use disorders (part 8)

~ Jason Schwartz ~ 1 Comment

In previous posts, I explained the challenges of making sense of research and introduced 8 questions that will help readers evaluate evidence and relevance to their work, goals, and lives. Today is question #7. 7) Were there any conflicts of interest (real or potential)? A conflict of interest is a situation in which financial or … Continue reading A consumer’s guide to research on substance use disorders (part 8)

A consumer’s guide to research on substance use disorders (part 7)

~ Jason Schwartz ~ 1 Comment

In previous posts, I explained the challenges of making sense of research and introduced 8 questions that will help readers evaluate evidence and relevance to their work, goals, and lives. Today is question #6. 6) What were the actual findings and does the authors’ discussion accurately represent the findings? This sounds very straightforward, but it … Continue reading A consumer’s guide to research on substance use disorders (part 7)

A consumer’s guide to research on substance use disorders (part 6)

~ Jason Schwartz ~ 2 Comments

In previous posts, I explained the challenges of making sense of research and introduced 8 questions that will help readers evaluate evidence and relevance to their work, goals, and lives. Today is question #5. 5) What were the study methods? There are many approaches used in SUD research and each approach offers advantages and disadvantages … Continue reading A consumer’s guide to research on substance use disorders (part 6)

A consumer’s guide to research on substance use disorders (part 5)

~ Jason Schwartz ~ 3 Comments

In previous posts, I explained the challenges of making sense of research and introduced 8 questions that will help readers evaluate evidence and relevance to their work, goals, and lives. Today is question #4. 4) What outcomes did the study measure? (How did they define success?) Outcomes measured in research do not necessarily correspond well … Continue reading A consumer’s guide to research on substance use disorders (part 5)