This guideline covers using psychosocial interventions to treat adults and young people over 16 who have a problem with or are dependent on opioids, stimulants or cannabis. It aims to reduce illicit drug use and improve people’s physical and mental health, relationships and employment. 

[NICE has also produced guidelines on drug misuse in over 16s: opioid detoxification.] 

This guideline includes recommendations on:

• principles for supporting people who misuse drugs and their families and carers
• identification and assessment of drug misuse
• brief interventions and self-help
• formal psychosocial interventions
• residential, prison and inpatient care

Who is it for? 

• Healthcare professionals
• Commissioners and providers
• People who work in specialist residential and community-based treatment settings
• People who work in prisons and criminal justice settings
• Adults and young people over 16 who misuse opioids, stimulants or cannabis and their families and carers

Is this guideline up to date? We checked this guideline in July 2016. We found no new evidence that affects the recommendations in this guideline.