Community-oriented non-specialist delivered treatment for alcohol dependence: developing and evaluating a complex intervention for alcohol dependence delivered in the community by non specialist health workers

Alcohol-use disorders are the second leading cause of global mental health-related burden of disease. Alcohol Dependence (AD) often leads to violence, domestic abuse, stigma, reduced productivity, job loss, social isolation and healthcare costs. In India alone, upwards of 26 percent of people who drink have AD. Healthcare for AD is restricted to de-addiction services delivered in underfunded, tertiary-care centres. These centres focus primarily on providing institutional, medically-assisted detoxification without any psychosocial interventions or structured follow-up. CONTAD aims to develop two care packages that will address both acute care needs related to alcohol detoxification and the longer-term goals of relapse prevention and recovery. These packages will be delivered by lay health workers. The project’s community orientation and use of low-cost human resources will achieve considerably greater coverage.