Alcohol and drug treatment matrices
The 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 by Drug and Alcohol Findings in collaboration with the Substance Misuse Skills Consortium to promote the development of drug and alcohol treatment services and the treatment workforce in the United Kingdom. In 2014 the Society for the Study of Addiction funded the Drug Treatment Matrix. Then both the Society and what is now Alcohol Change UK co-funded the entire project including the matrices. In 2019 Alcohol Change UK funded a refresh of the Alcohol Treatment Matrix. Completed in April 2021, this is the latest such refresh.

Effectiveness Bank Alcohol Treatment Matrix

Alcohol Treatment Matrix for brief interventions and treatment of alcohol-related problems including those intended to safeguard the community and reduce crime.

Effectiveness Bank Drug Treatment Matrix

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.

Effectiveness Bank matrix cell

Matrix Bites Fortnightly cell-by-cell introduction to the matrices cumulating in to a 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


Alcohol Matrix

Into the matrix Article from 2013 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”.

Alcohol Matrix

The treatment matrix Feature article in DrugScope’s Druglink magazine September/October 2013 (turn to page 16 of the PDF) 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.

Matrix presentation

Slide presentation 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

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.

Click to view comments Unfold comments

International appreciation for the “fantastic”, “brilliant” matrices and matrix bites courses.