NQF issues standards for substance abuse treatment

The National Quality Forum (NQF) has issued its first consensus standards for the treatment of substance abuse conditions. Eleven new treatment practices have been endorsed and are organized into four domains: identification of substance abuse conditions, initiation and engagement in treatment, therapeutic interventions, and continuing care management. The standard that addresses drug therapy says that patients diagnosed with opioid-dependence should receive medication along with psychosocial support. Alcohol-dependent patients as well as patients with nicotine dependence should also be offered pharmaco-therapy. To read the new standards, visit the NQF Web site at