CTN Dissemination Initiative

Products constitute a primary mode of research translation toward clinical practice in the drug abuse field. We work with NIDA researchers, treatment practitioners, subject matter and communications experts to develop training curricula, manuals, tools, and other resource materials based on NIDA-supported research.

Products & Materials from the Blending Initiative:

NIDA Blending Products and Materials constitute a primary mode of research translation toward clinical practice in the drug abuse field. Blending Teams, consisting of NIDA researchers, treatment practitioners, trainers from SAMHSA’s ATTC Network, NIDA staff, and subject matter and communications experts, work closely together to develop training curricula, manuals, tools, and other resource materials based on NIDA-supported research. Blending Products introduced into the field have covered such topics as Motivational Interviewing, HIV Rapid Testing, Motivational Incentives/Contingency Management, and Buprenorphine Treatment for Opioid Use Disorders. Recent efforts have included an infographic on the role of Smoking Cessation in Addiction Treatment, along with web-based simulation training for Motivational Interviewing.  

• HIV Rapid Testing in Substance Abuse Treatment Programs: Resources to Support On-Site Rapid Testing (2012)
• Buprenorphine Suite of Blending Products, which includes:
  • Buprenorphine Treatment: Training for Multidisciplinary Addiction Professionals (2005)
  • Short-Term Opioid Withdrawal Using Buprenorphine: Findings and Strategies from a NIDA Clinical Trials Network (CTN) Study (2006)
  • Buprenorphine Treatment for Young Adults (2010)
  • The Prescription Opioid Addiction Treatment Study (POATS): Treatment Strategies for Prescription Opioid Dependence and Information (2012)
• Motivational Incentives Package: A Proven Approach to Treatment, which includes:
  • Promoting Awareness of Motivational Incentives (PAMI) (Revised 2011)
  • Motivational Incentives: Positive Reinforcers to Enhance Successful Treatment Outcomes (MI:PRESTO) (2011)
  • Motivational Incentives Implementation Software (MIIS) (2011)
• Motivational Interviewing Assessment: Supervisory Tools for Enhancing Proficiency (MIA:STEP) (2006)
• Treatment Planning M.A.T.R.S.: Utilizing the Addiction Severity Index (ASI) to Make Required Data Collection Useful (2005)

Another cornerstone of the CTN Dissemination Initiative involves the planning and execution of Meetings and Conferences. These unique events provide an opportunity to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange between drug abuse researchers and treatment providers. The events expose providers to cutting-edge, evidence-based treatments and offer continuing education credits for physicians, psychologists, nurses, physician assistants, social workers, and addiction counselors. With the support and involvement of NIDA researchers, federal partners, and professional organizations, the Initiative has been advanced through a variety of hands-on, skill-building workshops and lectures for audiences ranging from addiction professionals to emergency department physicians. These activities also serve as opportunities for us to meet with leadership and members of key organizations to initiate collaborative training activities, discuss partnership possibilities, and initiate resource development.

The CTN Dissemination Initiative aims to establish and maintain collaborative partnerships with professional organizations serving the addiction treatment community as well as general medical settings such as primary and emergency care. In recent years, the Initiative has partnered with more than a dozen organizations to provide embedded conference sessions, preconference workshops, and specialty courses, along with training and mentorship awards. These collaborations are key to reaching the full spectrum of healthcare providers and professionals, as well as reaching health providers just beginning their career trajectory. One facet of the Initiative’s efforts at collaboration is the distribution of resident mentorship opportunities with professional organizations. These mentoring activities create unique opportunities to encourage the early adoption and implementation of evidence-based substance use disorder treatment interventions in the general healthcare setting.

Accelerating the dissemination of research-based drug abuse treatment into clinical practice is a priority for the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and represents the core mission of the Clinical Trials Network (CTN) Dissemination Initiative.  This initiative incorporates collaboration between clinicians, scientists, and experienced trainers to catalyze the creation of user-friendly treatment tools and products and facilitate the adoption of research-based interventions into front-line clinical settings. 

The Initiative comprises three components by facilitating the adoption of research-based interventions into front-line clinical settings.

• Products and Materials;
• Meetings and Conferences; and
• Collaborative Partnerships