Lived/Living experiences: the potential for integrative collaborations

Background: A majority of prevention and treatment services for people living with substance use disorders (SUD) have traditionally been the domain of "health care providers". People with lived/living experiences are emerging as important partners in addressing SUD. Successful collaborations were established between people with lived/living experiences and providers in the mid to late 1990s to address HIV/ AIDS in the United States.
Methods: A focused literature review was done to identify key elements that facilitated collaborations between people living with HIV/ AIDS and providers.
Results: Key elements that facilitated collaboration for HIV/AIDS services will be discussed and contrasted in context with current SUD efforts.
Conclusion: Formalized partnerships between people with lived/living experiences and providers are necessary to identify and address factors contributing to SUD and to develop evidence-based approaches. Reviewing successful HIV/AIDS models may provide insight in developing collaborations for SUD.