Assessment of a directed care facility for substance use disorder treatment in Qatar

Purpose This paper aims to assess the model of care, patient demographics, service delivery effectiveness and governance structures at the Umm Slal Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre (USTRC) in Qatar, a facility providing directed care to individuals mandated for substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. Design/methodology/approach A mixed-methods evaluation was conducted, including retrospective analysis of randomly selected patient electronic medical records, a document review of the centre’s guidelines and policies, reflective analyses of patient and staff interviews and a staff survey. Service delivery was benchmarked against the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime and World Health Organization quality assurance standards. Findings USTRC has developed a comprehensive, evidence-based treatment model providing detoxification, stabilization, residential rehabilitation and psychosocial interventions. However, gaps were identified in governance, policy, aftercare and gender-specific provision. High rates of poly-substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders were noted among patients, emphasizing the importance of expanding accredited staff training in SUD treatment and fostering non-judgemental care. In addition, greater integration with community-based services for post-discharge care was recognized as important for reducing relapse and supporting recovery. Originality/value This paper provides the first comprehensive evaluation of a mandated substance use treatment facility in Qatar, addressing a critical gap in the literature on directed care within the Gulf region.