Overview of interventions for disorders of substance use and addictive behaviours

Establishing a therapeutic relationship that engages the person (and ideally those close to them) is central to the management of substance use and addictive behaviours. Use an approach based on trauma-informed care and awareness of stigma.

The range of interventions for people with a disorder of substance use or addictive behaviour includes:

• ensuring the safety of the person and those around them
• brief interventions
• psychosocial interventions
• drug therapy to help reduce or stop substance use and prevent relapse—available for managing tobacco use and nicotine dependence, opioid dependence and (once abstinence is achieved) alcohol use
• gradual weaning of medications
• short-term withdrawal management in disorders of substance use
• harm reduction
• long-term care to address broad aspects of health care and offer regular opportunities for a person to review their options.