SAMHSA Releases A Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) On Detoxification And Substance Abuse Treatment

The Substance Abuse and Mental
Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) today released a new Treatment
Improvement Protocol (TIP 45) "Detoxification and Substance Abuse
Treatment." The new TIP provides clinicians with the latest information on
detoxification; emphasizes that by itself, detoxification does not
constitute complete substance abuse treatment; and identifies the necessity
for linking patients in detoxification with substance abuse treatment
services.


"Detoxification is one component in the continuum of healthcare
services for substance-related disorders," said SAMHSA Administrator
Charles Curie. "The TIP defines detoxification as a broad process with
three essential components -- evaluation, stabilization, and fostering a
patient's entry into treatment. Each involves treating the patient with
compassion and understanding. Patients undergoing detoxification need to
know that someone cares about them, respects them as individuals, and has
hope for their futures."


Developed by a consensus panel of experts with diverse experience in
detoxification services, TIP 45 provides up-to-date information about the
physiology of withdrawal, pharmacologic advances in the management of
withdrawal, patient placement procedures and managing detoxification
services within comprehensive systems of care. Additionally, the TIP
provides medical information on detoxification protocols for specific
substances, as well as considerations for individuals from diverse cultural
and ethic backgrounds or those with co-occurring mental disorders and
medical conditions.


This TIP is a revision of TIP 19, Detoxification from Alcohol and other
Drugs. The primary audiences for this TIP include: substance abuse
treatment counselors, administrators of detoxification programs; state
agency directors; psychiatrists and other physicians, nurses, psychologists
and clinical staff members working in the field. A secondary audience
includes primary care providers, staff of managed care and insurance
carriers; and others involved in planning, evaluating and delivering
services to patients going through detoxification from substances of abuse.


SAMHSA, a public health agency within the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services, is the lead federal agency for improving the quality and
availability of substance abuse prevention, addiction treatment and mental
health services in the United States.


Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration


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