Evidence-based consensus guidelines for the pharmacological management of substance dependence: Recommendations from the British Association for Psychopharmacology
The British Association for Psychopharmacology guidelines for the management of substance dependence focus primarily on the pharmacological aspects of treatment. A group of international experts from a wide range of disciplines reviewed the current evidence in their field, considered the strength of the evidence and discussed the clinical implications at a consensus meeting. The guidelines focus on the pharmacological management of dependence on alcohol, benzodiazepines, 'z-drugs', γ-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), gabapentinoids, opioids, nicotine, cannabis and synthetic cannabinoids, cocaine, amphetamine and methamphetamine, dissociative drugs and their analogues. They are based on the available evidence and make recommendations to aid clinical decision making, as well as highlighting the gaps in the current evidence-base.
Authors
- Louise M. Paterson (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9137-4419)
- Debbie Robson (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6447-3523)
- Stephen J. Kaar (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0194-0806)
- Eleanor Roberts (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2711-1934)
- Nicola J. Kalk (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3820-9243)
- J. Frederic Dewhurst
- Rebecca McKetin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2833-4830)
- Edward Chesney (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2851-5252)
- Roberta Agabio (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7395-6845)
- Adam Bisaga (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1415-5436)
- Tom P Freeman
- Jenny Scott
- C. Daly
- Shalini Arunogiri
- Catriona Matheson
- Lorenzo Leggio
- Sarah Welch
- Abhishek Ghosh
- Julia MA Sinclair
- Sophia Hemrage
Institutions
- University of Stirling (GB)
- National Institute on Drug Abuse (US)
- Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (GB)
- University of Cagliari (IT)
- King's College London (GB)
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (GB)
- Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust (GB)
- Manchester Academic Health Science Centre (GB)
- Wiltshire College (GB)
- UNSW Sydney (AU)
- University of Bristol (GB)
- Eastern Health (AU)
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (US)
- University of Southampton (GB)
- Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (IN)
- Imperial College London (GB)
- University of Bath (GB)
- Monash University (AU)
- Royal College of Psychiatrists (GB)
- Columbia University (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Journal of Psychopharmacology
- Published
- 2026-02-23
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1177/02698811251399593
- Primary Topic
- Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00