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 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.