The development of guidelines for drug and alcohol dependence treatment: affecting policy and practice

Abstract

The rationale and methodology behind the Australian Quality Assurance Project is described. The Project aimed to develop guidelines for treatment content based on three sources of information: research findings, current practice and expert opinion. The issue of the gap between research and practice is discussed, as well as the role of dissemination in altering clinician behaviour.

Key words:

• drug and alcohol dependence treatment
• policy
• practice
• research findings
• current practice
• expert opinion