Glossary of terms

The definitions below are those given in Government guidance documentation.

Commissioning
The strategic activity of assessing need, resources and current services and developing a strategy to make best use of available resources.

Joint Commissioning
The process in which two or more commissioning organisations plan and act together to co-ordinate their commissioning, taking joint responsibility for translating strategy into action.

Community Prescribing
This includes both specialists and GPs who formulate a programme of care in collaboration with the client to help in their rehabilitation, abstinence or a reduction in drug use.

Drugs
The term 'drug' is used to refer to any psychotropic substance, including illegal drugs, illicit prescription drugs and volatile substances.

Inpatient Detoxification
This includes specialist and general health service facilities that offer detoxification and stabilisation of drug users in a residential setting.

Residential Rehabilitation
These offer treatment programmes in a residential setting, including therapeutic communities, concept housing, 12-step Minnesota model programmes and general houses, including those with a Christian-based philosophy.

Structured Day-Care Programmes
The programme is shaped in order to best meet the needs of the individual.

Substance
The term 'substance' is defined as all illegal and legally obtained drugs including tobacco, alcohol, volatile substances and medicines obtained without a prescription.

Young People
'Young People' is defined as anyone under 19 years of age.

Vulnerable
The term 'vulnerable' refers to people whose life chances will be jeopardised unless action is taken to better meet their needs and reduce the risk of social exclusion. These people will not be 'vulnerable' throughout their whole lives, but will go through periods of vulnerability.

Vulnerable to substance misuse
Vulnerability to substance misuse is the presence in an individual of one or more factors, which may have an influence in them developing a drug problem. It should not be assumed that all 'vulnerable' people will use substances. It should also be remembered that people who do not fall into the vulnerable groups may use substances.

For further information about the Stoke-on-Trent Drug and Alcohol Action Team, please contact us