Using Behavioural Insights to Improve the Uptake of Services for Drug and Alcohol Misuse

In the U.K., 270,705 adults were in contact with drug and alcohol treatment services between April 2019 and March 2020. Within the same time period, 118,995 individuals exited the treatment system, and just over a third (36%) left treatment without completing it. The latter includes individuals declining further treatment and unsuccessful transfers between services. The aim of this study was to explore the factors that affect drug and alcohol treatment uptake within a drug and alcohol service in North East England. A mixed-methods approach was adopted. The exploration of factors affecting treatment uptake was captured through a behavioural insights survey and 1:1 in-depth qualitative interviews with service users within one council area within the North East of England. There were 53 survey participants, and a further 15 participants took part in qualitative interviews. We triangulated data sources to report consistencies and discrepancies in the data. Findings show that treatment services aiming to reduce missed appointments and increase retention rates need to implement several strategies. Consistently distributing appointment cards, using text message reminders, displaying a timetable presenting all treatment options, and displaying information in a format to ensure it is accessible to individuals with lower health literacy and reducing wait times for appointments will all improve appointment attendance.

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Distance to treatment as a factor for loss to follow up of hepatitis C patients in North East England

Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/pubmed/fdy190 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 41 (4) ◽

pp. 700-706 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

H Simpson ◽

P Manley ◽

J Lawler ◽

S Morey ◽

E Buchanan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Alcohol Treatment ◽

Active Infection ◽

Hcv Treatment ◽

Loss To Follow Up ◽

Treatment Services ◽

North East ◽

Drug And Alcohol Treatment ◽

Lost To Follow Up ◽

Drug And Alcohol

Abstract Background A large proportion of the 200 000 HCV-infected individuals in the UK are undiagnosed or lost to follow-up. Engaging known infected individuals in treatment is essential for elimination. Methods Using PHE surveillance data and HCV treatment registers from North East of England (NE) treatment centres for 1997–2016, we estimated the number of HCV cases not linked to treatment and the proportion with active infection. We compared distances of treated and untreated cases to treatment services, and assessed the effect of expanding HCV treatment into existing drug and alcohol treatment centres in the NEE on treatment accessibility. Results The odds of being treated was associated with distance to treatment services. Confirmatory results for ~50% were not reported to PHE NE. Overall, 3385 patients reported to PHE NE had no record of treatment; we estimated 1621 of these may have been lost to follow-up after confirmation of active infection. Conclusions Poor access to healthcare services may contribute to under-diagnosis or loss to follow-up. Expanding HCV treatment delivery into NEE drug and alcohol treatment centres would improve the accessibility of treatment services to people infected with/at risk of HCV. This may increase the proportion receiving treatment and support progress towards elimination.

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Understanding access to drug and alcohol treatment services in Europe: A multi-country service users’ perspective

Drugs Education Prevention and Policy ◽

10.3109/09687637.2013.848841 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 21 (2) ◽

pp. 120-130 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Gail Gilchrist ◽

Jacek Moskalewicz ◽

Rachel Nutt ◽

John Love ◽

Evi Germeni ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Alcohol Treatment ◽

Service Users ◽

Treatment Services ◽

Drug And Alcohol Treatment ◽

Drug And Alcohol

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A comparison of women seeking drug and alcohol treatment in a specialist women's and two traditional mixed-sex treatment services

Addiction ◽

10.1111/j.1360-0443.1992.tb02738.x ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 87 (9) ◽

pp. 1293-1302 ◽

Cited By ~ 64

Author(s):

JAN COPELAND ◽

WAYNE HALL

Keyword(s):

Alcohol Treatment ◽

Treatment Services ◽

Drug And Alcohol Treatment ◽

Drug And Alcohol

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Drug and Alcohol Treatment Services Effective for Methamphetamine Abuse

Annals of Clinical Psychiatry ◽

10.1080/10401230490522007 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 16 (4) ◽

pp. 195-200 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

TRACY GUNTER ◽

DONALD BLACK ◽

JANET ZWICK ◽

STEPHAN ARNDT

Keyword(s):

Alcohol Treatment ◽

Methamphetamine Abuse ◽

Treatment Services ◽

Drug And Alcohol Treatment ◽

Drug And Alcohol

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Consumer participation in drug treatment: a systematic review

Drugs and Alcohol Today ◽

10.1108/dat-05-2018-0023 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 19 (2) ◽

pp. 97-112 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mark Goodhew ◽

Jane Stein-Parbury ◽

Angela Dawson

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Drug Treatment ◽

Consumer Satisfaction ◽

Alcohol Treatment ◽

Consumer Participation ◽

Negative Attitudes ◽

Content Type ◽

Treatment Services ◽

Drug And Alcohol Treatment ◽

Drug And Alcohol

Purpose It is unclear how consumer participation (CP) can be optimised to transform drug and alcohol treatment services and improve health outcomes. The purpose of this paper is to present the findings of a systematic review examining the types and benefits of activities, and the factors that facilitate CP in drug treatment services. Design/methodology/approach A structured search of four databases was undertaken to identify peer reviewed primary research literature in English. Screened articles were appraised. A content analysis was applied to examine the types and outcomes of CP and the associated factors affecting the process. In total, 16 articles were included for review. Findings A range of CP activities were identified, and benefits included increased consumer satisfaction, and improved health service delivery. Factors that facilitated the process of CP included positive attitudes of both consumers and providers and employment of people with a lived experience of drug use. However, the lack of consumer and organisational capacity, negative attitudes of providers and power imbalances between consumers and providers constrained CP efforts. Practical implications To maximise the benefits of CP in drug and alcohol treatment services, negative attitudes about CP and power dynamics between consumers and health providers need to be addressed. This can be achieved by the strategic use of strengths-based interventions and consumer led education to enhance social capital. Originality/value This is the first known review to examine the benefits and facilitators of CP in drug treatment services.

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