As an addendum to the NIAAA Helping Patients Who Drink Too Much, A Clinician’s Guide, 2005 Edition, the following guidelines for initiation and engagement of alcohol and other drug dependence treatment have been adopted based on the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set, (HEDIS):
Initiation of Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Dependence Treatment
Adolescent and adult members diagnosed with AOD dependence should initiate treatment through either an inpatient AOD admission or an outpatient service for AOD dependence and additional AOD services within 14 days.
Engagement of Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Dependence Treatment
Adolescent and adult members diagnosed with AOD dependence should engage in treatment with 2 additional AOD services 30 days after initiation. No guideline should be considered the sole source of guidance for the treatment of a particular disorder. They are designed to provide a framework for treatment decisions. They are not intended as a protocol of treatment measures or to replace the clinical judgment of the provider.
