Behavioral Health Practice Tools

The Police Assisted Addiction & Recovery Initiative (PAARI) invited The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) to review their Best Practices for Embedding a Social Worker in Your Police Department guide. Given the increasing interest in the integration of social workers into law enforcement, embedded social workers who are currently working in police departments or who aspire to work in the police department can use this document as a reference.

September is National Recovery Month which was established in 1989 with the purpose of advancing evidence-based treatment and recovery methods for those impacted by mental health and substance use conditions. Throughout Recovery Month, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) acknowledges the importance of stable housing, the need to provide resources pertaining to social determinants of health that may affect recovery efforts, and the need for improved health and wellness outcomes. 

Social workers across practice settings provide services to individuals, including pregnant people, who are consuming alcohol at risky levels. Reducing problematic alcohol use is crucial to preventing fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs)—neurodevelopmental disabilities and birth defects that can occur in a baby exposed to alcohol before birth. FASDs represent a range of behavioral, intellectual, and physical disabilities across the lifespan, and might affect up to 5% of school children nationwide. Accurate figures regarding FASD prevalence is hampered by underreporting and persistent challenges in diagnosis.

The role of social workers in substance use treatment is multifaceted, and they possess the necessary skills, knowledge, and educational resources to offer psychosocial services to individuals, families, and communities that may be experiencing substance use problems. Social workers are important healthcare providers in assisting individuals with substance use disorders as they help remove barriers to treatment.

Fentanyl cannot be seen, taste or smell resulting in unwanted use by those who may be consuming what they thought might have been something else. The potential for overdose is high. This practice perspectives shares information on what fentanyl is, its impact on communities, and the role of social workers.

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is part of an Opioid Response Network (ORN) Addiction Workforce Interest Group. This group will be meeting to address factors contributing to the current workforce shortage. You can help us by responding to this 7 question inquiry to give us a snapshot of the current situation. We encourage you to pass the link on to your colleagues and any other staff working in any aspect of the addiction field. Please respond by June 30. Thank you in advance for your help!