Feasibility of a guideline to improve the match between needs and services for chronic addicts with multiple problems

Abstract

In The Netherlands, a substantial part of the population of chronic hard drug users and alcoholics is reached by offering low‐threshold services addressing basic needs such as shelter, health care and methadone substitution. It is known, however, that the needs of this category of addicts are more differentiated than can be demonstrated in the context of these low‐threshold services. Therefore, a guideline to help target‐group analyses was developed for addiction care agencies, resulting in so‐called “client profiles”. First, the workability of the guideline was tested in the restructuring of methadone programs in two regions of The Netherlands. Second, we investigated to what extent the resulting client profiles offer the addiction care agencies relevant and sufficient information for the development of tailor‐made care. A process evaluation supported the application of the guideline. The results show that the guideline is feasible, but could be improved by more simplified instructions and by adding a step‐by‐step plan. The resulting client profiles proved to be relevant and informative for the process of developing tailor‐made care for chronic addicts.