The Quality Principles: Standard Expectations of Care and Support in Drug and Alcohol Services

Glossary

Evidence-Informed Practice - A focus on achieving better outcomes for people through improved use of evidence.

Family - Those people who play a significant role in the life of the person who is accessing the service.

Harm Reduction - Interventions which aim to reduce the harm that people do to themselves, or others, as a result of their drug and/or alcohol use.

Holistic - Taking account of all the client's needs and circumstances.

Partnership - An arrangement where parties agree to work together to advance their shared interests.

Person-centred - Being responsive to individual's individual needs, abilities, preferences and goals.

Quick access - The NHSScotland HEAT (Health, Efficiency, Access and Treatment) Standard for Drug & Alcohol Treatment Waiting Times states that; 90% of clients will wait no longer than three weeks from referral received to appropriate drug or alcohol treatment that supports their recovery. As a further key performance indicator, it is expected that nobody waits longer than six weeks to receive appropriate treatment.

Recovery - A process through which a person is enabled to address their problem drug and/or alcohol use and become an active and contributing member of society.

Recovery Capital - The depth and breadth, quality and quantity of resources which can be used and built upon to begin and sustain recovery.

Recovery Oriented System of Care (ROSC) - A coordinated network of community-based services and supports. It is person-centred and builds on the strengths and resilience of individuals, families and communities to achieve improved health, wellbeing and quality of life for those with or at risk of alcohol and drug problems.

Recovery Plan - A record of the actions taken, or to be taken, to address needs that have been identified through the assessment process.

Safe - Free from danger or the risk of harm.

Sensitive - Being aware of, and responsive to, the feelings of others.

Strength-based Assessment - A process to identify your needs and aspirations and the strengths you have that can be used to aid your recovery.

Strengths - All the positive knowledge, skills, experiences and relationships that a person can use for support.

Trauma-Informed - An approach to engaging people with a history of trauma in a way that recognises the presence of trauma symptoms and acknowledges the role that trauma has played in their lives.

Whole Population Approach - To significantly reduce alcohol consumption across the population to improve everyone's health and wellbeing.

Workers - People working in treatment and support services on a full-time, part-time, sessional or volunteer basis.