Access to treatment for people with alcohol and other substance abuse problems

Objectives: IATPAD (Improvement in Access to Treatment for People with Alcohol and Drug Related Problems) is a European study. The study's main objective was to detect barriers and facilitators associated with access to treatment among patients with problems related to alcohol and drug use. This article presents the quantitative findings from Cataluña (Spain). Methods: Multicentric, cross-sectional study. Three main treatment entry points were assessed: General Psychiatry (CSMA), Out-patient Addiction Centers (CAS) and Primary Care (CAP). Centres were randomly selected. The Medical Condition Regard Scale was used to measure regard for working with different patient groups (diabetes, depression, patients with problems related to alcohol and patients with problems related to drugs). Results: Differences were detected in regard towards working with patients with alcohol, drugs and depression by treatment entry point. Professionals from the CASs reported higher regard towards working with substance users than professionals from CSMAs (p<0,001) or professionals from CAPs (p<0,001). Conclusions: The attitudes of professionals towards patients with substance use disorders are important for treatment engagement. Treatment policy needs to consider how to improve staff attitudes.