Lori Ducharme, Ph.D.
Division of Treatment & Recovery Research
NIAAA Advisory Council
May 2017
The Problem:
• High quality treatment is hard to find
• Existing online resources are limited
• Public unfamiliar with quality indicators
• No “consumer report” for addiction treatment
• Aggressive SEO and advertising
• Common stereotypes about treatment options
• NIAAA can’t endorse specific providers
Need to teach the public how to search for themselves
Solution: The Navigator
Offers a strategy to search for evidence-based alcohol
treatment
1. Learn the Basics
What is AUD, how is it treated, 5 signs of high quality care
2. Know Where to Search
Reliable sources for finding licensed therapists, accredited
programs, and board-certified physicians
3. Know What Questions to Ask
10 Questions to ask a Therapist/Program – and answers to
listen for
4. Compare and Choose
How we built it:
• Searched and reviewed all existing resources
• Identified areas where we could add value
• Decided what not to take on (adolescents)
• Early focus group with Al-Anon members
• Defined our territory and message
• Health services research findings
• Focus groups with target audience
• Meetings with stakeholders (ASAM, SAMHSA)
• Expert outside reviewers
LEARN THE
BASICS
WHERE TO
SEARCH
WHAT TO
ASK
COMPARE
& CHOOSE
WHERE TO SEARCH FOR
ALCOHOL TREATMENT
Search Provider Directories
HOME > WHERE TO SEARCH > FIND ACCREDITED TREATMENT PROGRAMS
ONGOING
SUPPORT
LEARN THE
BASICS
WHERE TO
SEARCH
WHAT TO
ASK
COMPARE &
CHOOSE
WHERE TO SEARCH FOR
ALCOHOL TREATMENT
Search Provider Directories
HOME > WHERE TO SEARCH > FIND ACCREDITED TREATMENT PROGRAMS
ONGOING
SUPPORT
LEARN THE
BASICS
WHERE TO
SEARCH
WHAT TO
ASK
COMPARE &
CHOOSE
WHERE TO SEARCH FOR
ALCOHOL TREATMENT
Search Provider Directories
HOME > WHERE TO SEARCH > FIND ACCREDITED TREATMENT PROGRAMS
ONGOING
SUPPORT
LEARN THE
BASICS
WHERE TO
SEARCH
WHAT TO
ASK
COMPARE &
CHOOSE
WHERE TO SEARCH FOR
ALCOHOL TREATMENT
Search Provider Directories
HOME > WHERE TO SEARCH > FIND ACCREDITED TREATMENT PROGRAMS
ONGOING
SUPPORT
LEARN THE
BASICS
WHERE TO
SEARCH
WHAT TO
ASK
COMPARE &
CHOOSE
WHERE TO SEARCH FOR
ALCOHOL TREATMENT
Search Provider Directories
HOME > WHERE TO SEARCH > FIND ACCREDITED TREATMENT PROGRAMS
ONGOING
SUPPORT
LEARN THE
BASICS
WHERE TO
SEARCH
WHAT TO
ASK
COMPARE &
CHOOSE
WHERE TO SEARCH FOR
ALCOHOL TREATMENT
Search Provider Directories
HOME > WHERE TO SEARCH > FIND ACCREDITED TREATMENT PROGRAMS
ONGOING
SUPPORT
Countdown to Launch
• Completing design work
• Building custom search tools
• Final user testing
• Review and clearance
• September launch (Recovery Month)
Thank you!