Episode of treatment for alcohol and other drugs—treatment type (main), code N

Identifying and definitional attributes

• Health, Superseded 12/12/2018

Value domain attributes

Representational attributes

Collection and usage attributes

CODE 1     Withdrawal management (detoxification)

This code refers to any form of withdrawal management, including medicated and non-medicated, in any delivery setting.

CODE 2     Counselling

This code refers to any method of individual or group counselling directed towards identified problems with alcohol and/or other drug use or dependency. This code excludes counselling activity that is part of a rehabilitation program as defined in Code 3.

CODE 3     Rehabilitation

This code refers to an intensive treatment program that integrates a range of services and therapeutic activities that may include counselling, behavioural treatment approaches, recreational activities, social and community living skills, group work and relapse prevention. Rehabilitation treatment can provide a high level of support (i.e. up to 24 hours a day) and tends towards a medium to longer-term duration. Rehabilitation activities can occur in residential or non-residential settings. Counselling that is included within an overall rehabilitation program should be coded to Code 3 for Rehabilitation, not to Code 2 as a separate treatment episode for counselling.

CODE 4     Pharmacotherapy

Refers to pharmacotherapies that include those used as maintenance therapies (e.g. naltrexone, buprenorphine, and methadone treatment) and those used as relapse prevention. Use Code 1 (withdrawal management) where a pharmacotherapy is used solely for withdrawal. Note collection exclusions: excludes treatment episodes for clients who are on an opioid pharmacotherapy maintenance program and are not receiving any other form of treatment.

CODE 5     Support and case management only

Refers to when there is no treatment provided to the client other than support and case management (e.g. treatment provided through youth alcohol and drug outreach services). This choice only applies where support and case management treatment is recorded as individual client data and the treatment activity is not included in any other category.

CODE 6     Information and education only

Refers to when there is no treatment provided to the client other than information and education. It is noted that, in general, service contacts would include a component of information and education.

CODE 7     Assessment only

Refers to when there is no treatment provided to the client other than assessment. It is noted that, in general, service contacts would include an assessment component.

Data element attributes

Collection and usage attributes

Only one code to be selected.

To be completed at assessment or commencement of treatment.

The main treatment type is the principal activity as judged by the treatment provider that is necessary for the completion of the treatment plan for the principal drug of concern. The main treatment type for alcohol and other drugs is the principal focus of a single treatment episode. Consequently, each treatment episode will only have one main treatment type.

For brief interventions, the main treatment type may apply to as few as one contact between the client and agency staff.

Information about treatment provided is of fundamental importance to service delivery and planning.

Source and reference attributes

Intergovernmental Committee on Drugs National Minimum Data Set Working Group

Relational attributes