Principles of Care and Practice Guidance
The Bureau of Substance Abuse Services actively promotes practice improvement in prevention, treatment and recovery systems of care. To that end, BSAS has articulated a set of principles which inform practice. BSAS publishes Practice Guidance papers, built on these principles, which describe best practices as well as why and how practice in specific areas can be improved. These are intended to be used by BSAS substance abuse service providers in assessing and improving programs and services, and by consumers in understanding what best practice should look like. Each guidance contains summaries, with embedded links, of research and resources, as well as a link to provide feedback to BSAS.
Strategic Plan: Principles of Care and Practice Guidance 
The Bureau of Substance Abuse Services’ Strategic Plan describes BSAS’s authority and its purpose in articulating Principles of Care and Practice Guidance papers. The Plan also describes the process by which Practice Guidance papers are developed and issued, including the mechanism for providing feedback to BSAS.
Principles of Care
Principles of Care in Prevention, Treatment and Recovery
The Bureau of Substance Abuse Services Principles of Care are built on its Mission Statement and on national standards of care. The Principles are intended as foundation reference points in program and service design and implementation.
Practice Guidance Modules
Integrating Medication in Behavioral Treatment
Each person’s individual health is affected upon their life experiences and environment. The Bureau of Substance Abuse Services believes that treatment should respond to this complexity by treating the whole person. This practice guidance supports capacity of behavioral treatment providers to understand and integrate properly prescribed medication as effective components of treatment plans.
Partnerships with DCF
Cooperation among providers, a priority for the Bureau of Substance Abuse Services, is critical when substance abuse undermines parents’ ability to care for their children. This guidance describes actions providers, staff, and DCF can take to build and maintain productive partnerships to promote family recovery and child safety.
Treatment Services for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Adults
The Bureau of Substance Abuse Services is committed to providing access to quality treatment for all those with substance use disorders. This should not vary due to an individual’s gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity. This module describes the range of treatment considerations, and best practices in treatment for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender adults.
Treatment Services for Older Adults
The Bureau of Substance Abuse Services is committed to promoting excellent, effective treatment across the life span. This practice guidance helps to create an outline of how best to provide treatment for older adults.
Treatment Services for Pregnant Women
Pregnant substance using women are a priority population for the Bureau of Substance Abuse Services. This guidance describes the needs and vulnerabilities of pregnant women, as well as administrative actions and clinical expertise needed to successfully engage and treat pregnant women, and their families. A broad array of resources are listed, with web links.
Responding to Relapse
BSAS supports efforts to respond to relapse in ways that support continued participation in treatment. This module describes practices that aim to keep individuals engaged in treatment while they work toward abstinence and recovery.
Treatment Services For Youth and Their Families
The Bureau of Substance Abuse Services is committed to building a comprehensive and effective system of care for youth and their families. This practice guidance helps to create an outline of how best to respond to specific issues effecting youth and their families.
This information is provided by the Bureau of Substance Abuse Services within the Department of Public Health.