Evaluating the Benefits of Rapid Access Addiction Medicine Clinics for Problematic Alcohol Use: A Retrospective Cohort Study to Inform Policy, Practice, and Future Research

Alcohol use in Canada, and globally, is a leading risk factor for disease, disability, and death. The COVID-19 global pandemic has also led to an increase in alcohol consumption amongst Canadians, with higher rates in individuals struggling with both mental health and substance use problems. The importance of access to care for problematic alcohol use (PAU) is at an all-time high. Treatment for PAU can be difficult to access, as there can be lengthy wait times for services, and care remains fragmented. In many cases, persons with PAU present themselves to be seen at emergency departments (ED) due to gaps in care, resulting in high use of the health care system. Rapid Access Addiction Medicine (RAAM) clinics have been implemented in recent years to provide easy access to evidence-based care for people with substance use problems so they can get the care they need, with the vital goal of improving their outcomes. RAAM clinics have opened in many regions within Canada to help individuals with PAU, however there remains a need to conduct analyses of their available data to evaluate the benefits they offer to people living in Canada and the healthcare system. It is also important to assess whether RAAM clinics provide sufficient value for the funding invested in their set-up and operation. In the proposed research, we will use statistical methods and anonymized health data to assess whether RAAM clinics have helped improve the outcomes of individuals with PAU, and whether they provide good value for money. Our research team consists of people with lived expertise as well as experts in research methods, addiction medicine, mental health, public health, and health services research. We have partnered with members of key organizations that can impact policy and practice regarding PAU here in Canada.