Evidence-Based Practices Resource Guide

Over the last few months, Caz Recovery has been focusing on evidence-based practices in our work. This has been an important task as it ensures that we’re providing the best care possible based on documented research and study. To help our staff access relevant information, we’ve created an Evidence-Based Practices Resource Guide with curated resources from the US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA).

What Are Evidence-Based Practices?

Evidence-based practices are treatment approaches that are proven to have beneficial and reliable outcomes through research and evaluation. The whole point of implementing evidence-based practices is to improve outcomes and ensure that our services are the best that they can possibly be. Here at Caz Recovery, we use evidence-based practices on a daily basis. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), for example, is perhaps the most widely-used therapeutic technique. It presumes that most psychological problems arise from unhelpful thinking or deeply-rooted and learned patterns of behavior. CBT assists people by recommending strategies to change their typical thought and behavioral patterns.

Many current evidence-based practices have their roots in or are outgrowths of CBT. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) helps people to overcome their negative thought patterns and behaviors. Meanwhile, Schema-Focused Therapy explores the interactions between an individual’s innate temperament and childhood experiences – or schemas – that continue to influence behavior, feelings, and relationships throughout one’s life. Seeking Safety is a present-focused approach developed to address the impact of trauma and substance use by identifying and developing risk reduction and coping strategies.

Our New Evidence-Based Practices Resource Guide

There are dozens – if not hundreds – of evidence-based practices in our field with various levels of evidence. In fact, SAMHSA has over 100 approaches on its Evidence-Based Practices Resource Center page relating to substance use disorders. Some are extremely widespread, and others are more targeted for specific populations or conditions.

We’re committed to ensuring that our staff members have access to leading knowledge and expertise so that we can best support the people in our care. To help with this goal, we’ve carefully selected resources from SAMHSA that are applicable to our work here at Caz Recovery. We then categorized the resources based on our different levels of care. This all now sits in our new Continuing Education Manual in our electronic agency library. Staff can access these resources at any time to further hone their skills and education. By doing so, Caz Recovery’s treatment and services will continue to help people with substance use disorders build healthier lives and reach their full potential.