Alcohol and drug treatment matrices
Launched in 2013, the matrices are portals to the most important research and guidance for British treatment services and for practitioners, managers, and commissioners. Use them to train staff, for professional development, or just to re-experience the revelations made by the seminal and key studies of the past 50+ years. Familiarity with this research and guidance can be seen as a quality indicator, demonstrating that your staff and service are aware of the evidential foundations of their work.
Each matrix consists of a 5x5 table totalling 25 cells, segmenting treatment in to the major practical divisions relevant to its effectiveness and delivery. Within each cell are the main historical and contemporary research landmarks on these different aspects of treatment, reviews offering a panoramic view, expert guidance based on this research, and an option to explore beyond these dozen or so selected documents.
The matrices were developed for the UK by Drug and Alcohol Findings for the Substance Misuse Skills Consortium to promote the development of drug and alcohol treatment services and the treatment workforce. In 2014 the Society for the Study of Addiction joined the other partners in financially and practically supporting this initiative.
Alcohol Treatment Matrix for brief interventions and treatment of alcohol-related problems including those intended to safeguard the community and reduce crime.
Drug Treatment Matrix for harm reduction and treatment of problems related to the use of illegal drugs, including treatment-based interventions to safeguard the community and reduce crime.
Matrix Bites Weekly cell-by-cell introduction to the matrices cumulating in to a year-long foundation course on the treatment evidence base. Each bite remains stored in the relevant matrix cell – click cell and unfold bite using link at the bottom, or go to alcohol and drug course résumés. For updates add yourself to the mailing list.
More ways to appreciate the matrices
Into the matrix Freely available feature article in Drink and Drugs News (DDN) magazine on the origins and purpose of the matrices, described by the editor as “a godsend for practitioners and commissioners”.
The treatment matrix Feature article in DrugScope’s Druglink magazine September/October 2013 describes how the matrices were built on the largest live drug and alcohol library in Britain and the work of the Effectiveness Bank over the past 16 years analysing UK-relevant research.
FEAD video See and hear Mike Ashton the matrices’ developer explaining their genesis and construction in a video from the 2013 conference of the New Directions in the Study of Alcohol Group.
Slide presentation Featured in the video above. Drills down to one study in one of the 25 cells of the alcohol matrix, illustrating the riches to be found there and the contemporary relevance of the seminal studies.
Prezi animation Explains the the significance of the matrices and takes you on an introductory tour showing what they contain and how they can be used.
View international comments
From around the world appreciation for the “awesome”, “brilliant” matrices and Matrix Bites courses.
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Affiliations as at time of comment.
“I remain astonished at your ability to integrate broad swathes of science in such an intelligent and concise fashion ... thank you for your indefatigable efforts to disseminate scientific findings to a broad audience; this field would have very little impact without translators such as yourself.”
Professor Keith Humphreys, Department of Psychiatry, Stanford University, USA
“A godsend for practitioners and commissioners. Dip in and take a look - the links are all there for you to benefit from the largest live drug and alcohol library in Britain.”
Claire Brown, Editor of Drink and Drugs News (DDN), UK
“I’ve been working in the drugs field for over 30 years but I am finding the concise, clear and authoritative Matrix Bites course invaluable for refreshing my knowledge and thinking, and bringing me new insights. Every Bite seems to arrive just as its subject matter is at its most pertinent and its content most needed.”
Steve Taylor, Programme Manager in the Alcohol, Drugs and Tobacco Division of Public Health England
“The matrices are great, as are your Matrix Bite comments. It is a privilege to receive your pieces; great and useful job. Thank you so much.”
Dr Braillon, Alcohol Treatment Unit, Amiens, France
“The Drug and Alcohol Matrices are just awesome. Teaching just those could qualify many in the substance use field.”
Shaun Shelly, Substance Use Program Manager, Hope House Counselling Centre, and Addictions Division, University of Cape Town, South Africa
“Thanks also for the brilliant matrices.”
Dr Michael Taylor, GP with a special interest in addictions, England
“Thanks Mike, You are a freaking legend.”
Paul Dessauer, Outreach Coordinator, WASAU, Perth, Australia
“This is a real tour de force. Brilliant.”
Mike Stewart, Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion
“Thanks for providing such a super resource.”
Barry Salaberry, addictions counsellor, British Columbia, Canada
“Wow – this is terrific stuff.”
Audrey Freshman, Director of Professional Development and Continuing Education, Adelphi University, USA
“Hi Mike I looked at them more in depth and I agree with Audrey!” (see above)
Glenn Richardson, formerly Manager of Training and Technical Assistance, Texas Department of State Health Services, USA
“Wow!! This is simply too good.”
Abhijit Nadkarni, addictions psychiatrist and Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Fellow at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, based in Sangath, Goa, India
“Especially impressive are your use of older pieces of research which are often forgotten (or not learned!!) by people who have not been around for a long time ... important as I watch old mistakes being repeated.”
Ira Unell, formerly of Leicestershire Community Drug and Alcohol Services, England
“Just wanted to thank you for posting the alcohol Matrix Bites – we are loving them.”
Clare Davies, Residential Rehabilitation Manager, Windana therapeutic community, Melbourne, Australia
“I must admit I like the Matrix ... the database is phenomenal. I only wish that it was available in the ’80s and ’90s for my respective degrees; the hours of library time it could have saved! ... a tremendous piece of work, what a fantastic resource.”
Paul-John Griffiths, Independent Forensic Psychologist based in the UK
“I have found this resource incredibly useful. It is thought-provoking, the matrices are well laid out and offer easily accessible and comprehensive information.”
Jenny Willmott, Addictions Nurse (RGN) with Glasgow Addiction Services
“The alcohol one was perfect for finding specific papers/research to support a key piece of work ... saved me masses of time as the structure led me to the key sources.”
Jane Ward, independent consultant and trainer
“Succinct and erudite and relatively plain English. I am an extremely experienced commissioner and still find this resource invaluable and insert it in service specifications.”
Andrew MacDonald, researcher and former drug and alcohol services commissioner
“Succinct, relevant reports leaving me with more hours in the week to work with clients. It is invaluable to me. Matrices join everything up and deliver a kind of bottom line ... superb service.”
Sandy Francis, lecturer in addictions at Action on Addiction and the University of Bath and NHS psychological therapist and supervisor
“Such a unique and special resource!”
Russ Hayton, Nurse Consultant and Governance Lead, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Drug and Alcohol Action Team
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