This article provides clinical considerations for addiction treatment providers seeking to improve patient retention and engagement. It emphasizes the importance of a nonjudgmental, patient-centered approach that does not require abstinence as a condition of care. The guidance outlines ten core strategies, including fostering a trauma-sensitive environment, minimizing administrative discharges, and integrating harm reduction principles. The document also discusses systemic challenges and proposes policy and programmatic changes to enhance accessibility and continuity of care for individuals with substance use disorders.
This course is based on the reading-based online article, Engagement and Retention of Nonabstinent Patients in Substance Use Treatment created by Dr. Maureen Boyle et al in 2024.
Publication Date
American Society of Addiction Medicine October 2024
Course Material Authors
Course Material Authors authored the material only, and were not involved in creating this CE course. They are identified here for your own evaluation of the relevancy of the material this course is based on.
Dr. Maureen Boyle
Dr. Maureen Boyle is a researcher specializing in substance use disorder treatment. She holds a PhD and has contributed extensively to addiction medicine research. This is her first work published in a peer-reviewed journal.
Dr. Amanda Devoto
Dr. Amanda Devoto is a clinical psychologist with expertise in addiction treatment and behavioral interventions. She has a PhD and has worked on multiple projects related to patient engagement in treatment. This is her first work published in a peer-reviewed journal.
Allison Brown holds a BS degree in Criminal Justice with a Psychology focus and a Master’s degree in Social Work from Loyola University Chicago. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who currently works at a Long-Term Insurance company bringing clinical experience to claim processes. Additionally, she developed and continues to lead the Continuing Education Program for Social Workers and Nurses and often leads complex process improvement projects Prior to this, her primary focus was in mental health and worked in both the outpatient and inpatient settings providing support to adults with mental illness.
Recommended For
Counselors, marriage and family therapists, psychologists and social workers. This course is appropriate for intermediate and above levels of knowledge.
Course Objectives:
After taking this course, you should be able to:
Identify key strategies to improve patient engagement and retention in substance use treatment programs, particularly for nonabstinent individuals.
Analyze the impact of administrative discharge on treatment outcomes and explore alternative approaches to maintaining patient participation in care.
Evaluate the role of harm reduction principles in substance use disorder treatment and their integration into clinical practice.
Availability
This course is available starting Apr 18th, 2025 and expires Apr 17th, 2035
Disclosure to Learners
Disclosure of Relevant Financial Relationships
CE Learning Systems adheres to the ACCME's Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited
Continuing Medical Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CE activity –
including faculty, planners, reviewers, or others ― are required to disclose all relevant financial
relationships with ineligible entities (formerly known as commercial interests).
The following relevant financial relationships have been disclosed by this activity's planners, faculty, and
the reviewer:
Planners and Reviewers
The planners of this activity have reported that they have no relevant financial relationships.
Material Authors
Any relevant financial disclosures for course material authors can be found in the article.
Course Creator
Allison Brown, LCSW 149014591 – No relevant financial relationships.
Commercial support
There is no commercial support for this distance-learning course.
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