Medications for opioid use disorder and other evidence-based service offerings in faith-affiliated treatment centers: Implications for implementation partnerships

Introduction

Amidst an ongoing surge of opioid use disorder (OUD) incidence, clinicians and policymakers are seeking partnerships with faith communities – including with faith-affiliated treatment centers (FATCs) – to expand access to evidence-based OUD treatment. However, little is known whether FATCs differentially offer such evidence-based treatment services, particularly medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and co-occurring mental health care.

Methods

We use the 2021 National Substance Use and Mental Health Services Survey (N-SUMHSS) to examine differences in provision of several OUD services, including MOUD, psychological treatments, mental health services, medical services, recovery support services, and services related to treatment accessibility, between self-identified FATCs and non-FATCs. We also explored differences in characteristics related to insurance, licensure, and accreditation.

Results

FATCs were less likely than non-FATCs to offer almost all measure of MOUD and more likely to refuse to accept clients who use MOUD. They were also less likely to report using telemedicine. However, they were more likely to offer residential treatment, Twelve Step facilitation, and transitional housing. We find little evidence that FATCs offer co-occurring mental health treatments at different rates than non-FATCs.

Conclusion

More research is needed to examine the factors that drive these differences, especially in MOUD and transitional housing. When partnering with FATCs, clinicians and policymakers should seek common ground with FATCs and recognize the philosophies, values, and concerns that may potentially be driving these differences.