Which statement describes evidence-based practice in addiction treatment?

• A. Combining research findings, clinician experience, and patient values
• B. Using only clinical experience
• C. Relying solely on patient values
• D. Ignoring patient preferences

Answer: (A)

Evidence-based practice in addiction treatment blends three elements: the best available research evidence, the clinician’s professional judgment and experience, and the patient’s own values and preferences. This approach ensures that treatments are scientifically supported while being practical in real-world settings and tailored to the individual. Research findings provide validated interventions and outcomes data; clinician experience helps adapt these approaches to the person’s history and context; patient values guide decisions so the plan is acceptable and more likely to be followed. When any one piece is missing—relying only on experience, or only on patient preferences, or ignoring patient preferences entirely—the treatment is less likely to be effective or engaging.