Advisory

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.

TIP 45 is available on the web at www.ncadi.samhsa.gov. Copies may be obtained free of charge from SAMHSA’s National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information at 1-800-729-6686.

SAMHSA, is a public health agency within the Department of Health and Human Services. The agency is responsible for improving the accountability, capacity and effectiveness of the nation’s substance abuse prevention, addictions, treatment, and mental health services delivery system.

SAMHSA is An Agency of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Service