REGISTRATION BODY AND NETWORK FOR ADDICTION PROFESSIONALS
The issues involved in addiction are complex, but there is established evidence that treatment is effective and can bring about positive change. Good treatment often involves support from a range of professions including keyworkers, peer support workers, GPs, psychiatrists, counsellors, pharmacists, psychologists, social workers, nurses, coaches and mentors. However, training in addictions across the roles involved can be variable, as are the standards that are required in order to practise.
Our vision is to have a competent, confident, and accredited workforce in the addictions sector to provide the best possible treatment for people with addictions.
Addiction Professionals is a UK charity formed from a merger of Substance Misuse Management in General Practice and the Federation of Drug and Alcohol Practitioners.
Membership Options >>Our mission is to develop, support, and provide training, education, and accreditation to those working and volunteering in the addiction sector with the aim of raising standards for the benefit of those accessing services and their communities. We also seek to promote the positive contributions the addiction sector makes to the wider public.
We do this by:
- Providing a range of education and news via our website, conferences, webinars, and educational days. We provide ongoing continuing professional development opportunities for our members. Our flagship event is the well-established annual Managing Addictions in Primary Care conference, held jointly with the Royal College of General Practitioners.
- Providing a voluntary register for those working and volunteering in the addiction sector. This requires members to abide by our Standards of Conduct and Ethics, and ensures public accountability through adherence to our disciplinary procedures.
- Providing accreditation for individuals working in the addictions sector as well as for educational providers.
- Supporting a range of professional networks, including non-medical prescribers, GPs and social workers.
We offer a range of accreditation offers including:
- Individual accreditation for members
- Accreditation of educational courses
- Accreditation for academic programmes
We provide a voluntary register
While some professionals working in the addiction sector are required to be registered with a professional body to practise (for example doctors must be registered with the General Medical Council in the UK) many many work in roles that do not mandate registration with a regulator. Addiction Professionals maintain a voluntary register for those working in the sector. Members of this register are required to:
- Adhere to our Standards of Conduct and Ethics.
- Comply with our disciplinary procedure that allows members of the public to make complaints if they believe a practitioner has failed to meet these standards.
- Comply with our requirements for qualifications and standards, which are tailored to the services they provide.
We promoting the positive contribution the addiction sector can make to the wider public
Treatment for addictions can transform lives. We provide information to the public about the positive benefits it can have and how to access treatment.
Providing a home for networking and continuing professional development in the addiction sector
Providing local and national events and networks, access to resources, continuing professional development, sharing best practices, and promoting high standards of practice and conduct.
Ensuring the sustainable development of the organisation and its membership
Continually improving member-focused systems and processes, while offering good value and high-quality services. Encouraging good governance throughout the organisation.
Informing and protecting the public
Promoting awareness and understanding of good practice, providing information about careers, setting and maintaining standards of training, accreditation, conduct, and practice, and providing a voluntary register of addiction practitioners.
Championing good quality addiction treatment and support
Working with partners and policymakers to advocate for good practice in addiction treatment.
The history of Addiction Professionals goes back to the 1990s when two separate organisations were established; SMMGP (Substance Misuse Management in General Practice) whose founder was GP Dr Chris Ford, and FDAP (Federation of Drug & Alcohol Professionals). These two organisations were formed with the aim of providing a network for professionals to support their special interest in drug and alcohol problems, and to promote good practice and evidence-based treatment. They worked independently until 2017 when SMMGP took over the functions of FDAP to form a larger, more robust organisation to serve the needs of its members. In 2021 the organisation changed its name to Addiction Professionals reflect the broader scope of its members' needs and the expansion of its remit to include behavioural addictions.
