This Advisory is based on Technical Assistance Publication (TAP) 21, Addiction Counseling Competencies: The Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes of Professional Practice. It discusses the development of the counseling competencies and the validated research on which they are based, provides a simplified overview of their structure and the elements of a typical competency, and outlines how these competencies are changing the field of substance use disorder (SUD) treatment nationwide. The Advisory also addresses the critical role of cultural competency.

Based on Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) 41, Substance Abuse Treatment: Group Therapy, this Advisory provides an overview of goals, processes, group-specific approaches, resources, and common elements that support favorable outcomes in group therapy.

This Advisory, based on TIP 49, Incorporating Alcohol Pharmacotherapies Into Medical Practice, focuses on medication and related treatment decisions made after screening and assessment for AUD, and medically supervised withdrawal, if necessary. Alcohol consumption should not stop abruptly in those patients who have consumed alcohol regularly over a prolonged period of time. This Advisory is meant as an overview of AUD medications to facilitate abstinence.

This report presents 2016 national estimates of use of alcohol, tobacco products, illicit drugs (such as, marijuana, cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens, and inhalants, as well as the misuse of opioids, prescription pain relievers, tranquilizers, stimulants, and sedatives), substance use disorders, and substance use treatment among people 12 years of age and older. It Includes national estimates of any mental illness, serious mental illness, major depressive episode, use of mental health services and suicidal ideation among adults ages 18 or older and national estimates of major depressive episode, use of mental health services among adolescents aged 12 to 17. Trend information on these topics are also presented.

This advisory for behavioral health practitioners provides a brief overview of complementary health approaches. It describes the practices and products that are considered complementary, and explains how practitioners can help patients understand the benefits and risks.

This report discusses results from a survey on the use of illicit substances, alcohol, and tobacco among people ages 12 years or older. It focuses on trends between 2012 and 2013 and from 2002 to 2013, as well as differences among population groups.

This NSDUH report presents results of a survey of illicit substance, alcohol, and tobacco use among people 12 years of age and older. It Includes national estimates of the rates of use, trends, numbers of users, and other measures, such as youth-related prevention measures.

This report examines trends in illicit substance use from 2010 to 2011 and from 2002 to 2011 among Americans 12 and older, comparing differences by age group and gender. It also discusses disparities in the need for specialized treatment versus those who actually receive it.