The Dutch Addiction Association intends

to combine and to share the knowledge 

that helps us to treat people with addiction

and give them hope during their recovery

 

 

THE DUTCH ADDICTION ASSOCIATION (DAA)

 

The Dutch Addiction Association (DAA) was founded in 2017. It is a network of organisations with expertise in the field of substance use and abuse in the Netherlands. This unique collaboration currently consists of twelve Dutch addiction treatment centres, centres for rehabilitation and probation for addicted offenders, research institutes and a group of client representation boards. The network is still expanding with new members and partners. The DAA is aligned and cooperates with the Dutch Association of Mental Health and Addiction Care (de Nederlandse ggz)

By addressing the stigma attached to addiction, the DAA aims to break down the barriers to treatment. Is it our ambition to prevent addiction problems from arising and to reach individuals who have addiction problems in order to provide support and treatment. Our ultimate goal is to reduce the social consequences and damage caused by addiction-related issues.

 

The Association has created a nationwide network for the sector that brings together the existing expertise with respect to addiction prevention, treatment and recovery, as well as probation and aftercare. Through this collaboration, the participating parties contribute to creating a healthier and safer society. With our programme groups, targeting different subjects within the addiction field, we contribute to the critical goals of our DAA:

  • Fewer people become addicted, get into difficulties due to addiction, have problematic substance use and/or develop risky behaviour that can lead to addiction.
  • Knowledge, skills and care in the field of addiction are accessible.
  • A shared environment is created in which people with addictions can rediscover and capitalise on their strengths and opportunities, partly by promoting social inclusion.
  • There is a safer society and a reduction of nuisances.
  • Well-trained professionals work together with the client to find an appropriate treatment aimed at recovery, in which we define "appropriate" as cost-effective, context-based and evidence-based.
  • We work with professional standards.

 

We have eight programme groups. Each group consists of experts working together in that area of expertise:

  •      Social inclusion

⇨     We can help people with addiction and those in recovery by enhancing openness about vulnerability and inciting pride in recovery.

  •      Prevention & early detection

⇨     Early detection of vulnerable people is essential. It helps to prevent the onset of addiction and further problems.

  •          Uniformity & quality

⇨     Through the implementation and maintenance of guidelines and standards, we contribute to the quality of the care in substance abuse treatment centres. 

  •         Research & education

⇨     Contribute to the development of knowledge and skills regarding addiction, both in education and research. 

  •         Care & safety 

⇨     An important theme is sharing knowledge and skills about the relationship between substance abuse and delinquency. With this knowledge, we can reduce problematic situations, raise safety and decrease public hindrance. 

  •         Innovation

⇨     Through innovative developments, we can break down barriers to seeking help. Priority lies on e-mental health care and the digitisation of care. 

  •         Data management

⇨     How can we make use of big data for research and benchmark goals? 

  •          Youth & addiction

⇨     To position, youth addiction care more strongly in the national and municipal domain, in the landscape of youth care and to develop effective treatment offerings. The ambition is to have the right care for youth and young adults available locally in the Netherlands as early as possible, in cooperation with municipalities and chain partners. We know that timely recognition and tackling addiction issues are of great importance for personal and social impact. We want to achieve the ambition by working together and being visible to the target group, referrers and municipalities. But, we also want to join forces in terms of content to make a high-quality range of treatments available to youth and young adults with addiction problems. 

 

There is a delegation of experts on the specific topic from the different parties. Personal recovery for patients with addiction problems is a focus point for all groups. The DDA relies on a combination of knowledge of scientific sources, practices situations and real-life experiences, by the diverse representation in both the board as in the programme groups.

The DAA also supports the Dutch Network of Tobacco Free Health Care Services, which is a member of the global network. The DAA will facilitate treatment centres to make their facilities tobacco-free.

 

International collaboration

The Dutch Addiction Association is interested in international collaboration.
info@verslavingskundenederland.nl