NIDA/SAMHSA Blending Initiative

Accelerating the dissemination of research-based drug abuse treatment findings into community-based practice is a key priority for NIDA and represents the core mission of the NIDA/SAMHSA Blending Initiative. The Institute of Medicine reported that a 17-year gap exists between the publication of research results and its impact on treatment delivery. To reduce this gap, NIDA and SAMHSA have joined together to create the Blending Initiative.

One component of this initiative is the NIDA Blending Conference which has provided unique opportunities for teams of clinicians and researchers to co-present innovative scientific findings about drug abuse and addiction. Another key component is the creation of Blending Teams to produce these innovative products, which are being made available at nearly the same time that the research results are published in peer-reviewed journals, substantially reducing the gap between research and practice.

What Are Blending Teams?

Blending Teams are composed of NIDA researchers, community-based substance abuse treatment practitioners and trainers from SAMHSA's Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC) Network who work closely together to develop 'products' (e.g. training curricula, supervisory manuals) from research conducted within NIDA's Clinical Trials Network (CTN) as well as other research supported by NIDA.

Blending Products

Motivational Incentives Package: A Proven Approach to Treatment

Three user-friendly products are brought together in this Motivational Incentives (MI) Package, representing the newest of NIDA's Blending products. The MI Package assists practitioners, clinicians, and researchers in utilizing and applying Motivational Incentives for treating substance abuse patients. Products were completed in 2011.

• Promoting Awareness of Motivational Incentives (PAMI)
• Motivational Incentives: Positive Reinforcers to Enhance Successful Treatment Outcomes (MI:PRESTO)
• Motivational Incentives Implementation Software (MIIS) (To obtain the free MIIS CD, call Synergy Enterprises Inc. at: (240) 485-1700.)

Buprenorphine Treatment for Young Adults

Highlights the findings of the NIDA CTN study that compared longer term versus short-term buprenorphine/naloxone treatment in an outpatient setting. Primary results indicated that young adults in the longer term buprenorphine treatment were less likely to inject drugs or abuse opioids, cocaine, and marijuana, and were more likely to remain in treatment than those young adults who received short-term detoxification. Products were completed in 2010.
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• Includes: Three-hour classroom training and PowerPoint presentation

Short-Term Opioid Withdrawal Using Buprenorphine: Findings and Strategies from a NIDA Clinical Trials Network (CTN) Study

Instructs treatment providers about a unique, 13-day buprenorphine intervention for opioid dependent patients. To test its effectiveness, the NIDA CTN protocol compared this 13-day buprenorphine taper intervention to an alternative treatment (clonidine detoxification) in both inpatient and outpatient settings. In contrast with the clonidine treatment group, patients who received buprenorphine provided more opioid negative urine samples upon completion of the intervention. Products were completed in 2006.
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• Includes: four-hour classroom training, PowerPoint slides, Brochure, Research Articles

Motivational Interviewing Assessment: Supervisory Tools for Enhancing Proficiency (MIA:STEP)

Findings from the NIDA Clinical Trials Network (CTN) protocol documented that Motivational Interviewing (MI) resulted in higher retention rates during the first 28 days of treatment compared to standard interventions. This Blending Team designed empirically supported treatment products to enhance the MI skills of treatment providers and supervisory tools to fortify the supervisor's ability to provide more structured, focused, and effective clinical supervision. Products were completed in 2006.
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• Includes: MI Skills tools, Supervisor training for a 10-hour workshop, Audiotaped treatment sessions & supervisory rating guide, English and Spanish materials

Buprenorphine Treatment: Training for Multidisciplinary Addiction Professionals

Opioid abuse and addiction (e.g., heroin, OxyContin) remains a critical national public health concern. To address this problem, the Buprenorphine Treatment Blending Team (also referred to as: 'Buprenorphine Awareness') developed a training package to disseminate information and enhance awareness among multi-disciplinary addiction professionals about buprenorphine treatment. Products were completed in 2005.
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• Includes: Training manual for six-hour classroom modules, PowerPoint presentation, Annotated bibliography, Training Video, Research articles

Treatment Planning M.A.T.R.S.: Utilizing the Addiction Severity Index (ASI) to Make Required Data Collection Useful

The Addiction Severity Index (ASI) is one of the most universally used instruments for the assessment of substance abuse and related problems. This Blending Team has completed products that include a 6-hour continuing education curriculum package addressing how to transform required "paperwork" into clinically useful information. These products also address the key tenets of treatment objectives and interventions (Measurable, Attainable, Time-limited, Realistic and Specific) referred to as Treatment Planning "M.A.T.R.S.". Products were completed in 2005.
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• Includes: Six-hour classroom training program, Trainer script and trainer notes, PowerPoint slides and handouts including - an ASI narrative, report, case examples and reference list

Additional Information

Additional information on Blending Products and other motivational incentive resources can be found at the Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC) website