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EFFECTIVENESS BANK BULLETIN 9 August 2012 A new bulletin has collated the latest additions to the Effectiveness Bank. Three are newly released analyses. Two deal with radically different but each in their own ways controversial treatments for heroin addiction: the overdose record of long-acting opiate-blocking implants, and the role of take-home doses of the heroin substitute methadone in British services. The third highlights the stress faced by staff in a London alcohol detoxification ward. Last entry updates our analysis of a thoughtful review of how to reduce alcohol-related harm in Wales. To view the whole bulletin click this link: http://findings.org.uk/docs/bulletins/Bull_09_08_12.php or click the links below to view an entry in the bulletin. If clicking does not work, paste the link in to your web browser address box, being sure to enter the whole address. ************************************** *new* OVERDOSE DEATH RISK LOW WITH OPIATE-BLOCKING IMPLANTS Few treatments for opiate addiction arouse as much controversy as naltrexone implants. Inserted under the skin, these block the effects of heroin for up to several months - for some, a magic bullet, for others, an unsafe and ethically dubious experiment. More evidence from Australia that the overdose death risk is less than with oral forms of the drug. http://findings.org.uk/count/downloads/download.php?file=Reece_A_3.cab *new* TAKE-HOME METHADONE COMMON IN BRITISH ADDICTION TREATMENT Contrary to national guidelines, in the mid-2000s in England and Wales prescribed doses of the heroin substitute methadone were generally low, and often even new patients were not required to take it under supervision at the pharmacy. Patients in Essex also generally favoured low doses and opposed supervised consumption. Our commentary examines the rationale for supervised consumption and related studies. http://findings.org.uk/count/downloads/download.php?file=Luty_J_7.cab *new* WHOLE TEAM TRAINING MAY COUNTER DETOX WARD STAFF BURN-OUT Even more so than in a typical psychiatric ward, staff at a London inpatient alcohol treatment ward experienced high levels of stress and other indicators of potential burn-out. Whole-team training seemed to help, reflected especially in feelings of greater competence in working with sometimes challenging and complex patients. http://findings.org.uk/count/downloads/download.php?file=Hill_RG_3.cab *revised* HOW TO ACHIEVE POSITIVE CHANGE IN WELSH DRINKING CULTURE What will it take for Wales (and by extension, the UK as a whole) to adopt safer drinking practices which cut the national burden of drink-related harm? This research report thoughtfully reflects evidence from reviews and recent and seminal studies, offering guidance not just on each intervention type, but on what the most effective mix might be. http://findings.org.uk/count/downloads/download.php?file=Bailey_J_1.txt ************************************** Effectiveness Bank alerts are provided by Drug and Alcohol Findings (http://findings.org.uk) to alert you to site updates and recent UK-relevant evaluation studies and reviews of drug/alcohol interventions. Findings is managed by DrugScope, Alcohol Concern and the National Addiction Centre. The Effectiveness Bank is supported by Alcohol Research UK and the J Paul Getty Jr Charitable Trust. You have received this message via another mailing list. To receive these messages directly sign up at: http://findings.org.uk/index.php#signUp