Treatment for HIV-Infected Alcohol and Other Drug Abusers
Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series: 15

What Is a TIP?

CSAT Treatment Improvement Protocols (TIPs) are prepared by the Quality Assurance and evaluation Branch to facilitate the transfer of state-of-the-art protocols and guidelines for the treatment of alcohol and other drug (AOD) abuse from acknowledged clinical, research, and administrative experts to the Nation's AOD abuse treatment resources.

The dissemination of a TIP is the last step in a process that begins with the recommendation of an AOD abuse problem area for consideration by a panel of experts. These include clinicians, researchers, and program managers, as well as professionals in such related fields as social services or criminal justice.

Once a topic has been selected, CSAT creates a Federal resource panel, with members from pertinent Federal agencies and national organizations, to review the state of the art in treatment and program management in the area selected. Recommendations from this Federal panel are then communicated to the members of a second group, which consists of non-Federal experts who are intimately familiar with the topic. This group, known as a non-Federal consensus panel, meets in Washington for 5 days, makes recommendations, defines protocols, and arrives at agreement on protocols. Its members represent AOD abuse treatment programs, hospitals, community health centers, counseling programs, criminal justice and child welfare agencies, and private practitioners. A Chair (or Co-Chairs) for the panel is charged with responsibility for ensuring that the resulting protocol reflects true group consensus.

The next step is a review of the proposed guidelines and protocol by a third group whose members serve as expert field reviewers. Once their recommendations and responses have been reviewed, the Chair approves the document for publication. The result is a TIP reflecting the actual state of the art of AOD abuse treatment used in public and private programs recognized for their provision of high quality and innovative treatment.

This TIP Treatment for HIV-Infected Alcohol and Drug Abusers presents guidelines for creating a comprehensive, integrated system of care for HIV-infected AOD abusers. The guidelines identify a spectrum of core services and treatment approaches that ideally should be available to this population regardless of the setting in which care is provided. Prevention and treatment of AOD abuse and HIV disease require a multidisciplinary approach that relies on the strengths of a variety of providers and treatment settings. For service providers who may not be familiar with the treatment system, the TIP provides an overview of AOD treatment settings. An extensive chapter is included, primarily for physicians, nurses, and other medical care providers, on the scope of medical care needed by HIV-infected persons. Another chapter describes the mental health and other counseling needs of HIV-infected substance abusers and provides guidelines for meeting the needs effectively. A chapter on social service needs addresses issues of housing, family support, and outreach services. The TIP describes linkages and collaborations that AOD programs must form with community service providers to provide an array of services. Finally a separate chapter addresses key legal issues, such as confidentiality, encountered in providing services to HIV-infected persons.

This TIP represents another step by CSAT toward its goal of bringing national leadership to bear in the effort to improve AOD abuse treatment.

Other TIPs may be ordered by contacting the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information (NCADI) 800-729-6686 or (301) 468-2600; TDD (for hearing impaired), (800) 487-4889.