The I MATTER (Individualized Medication Assisted Treatment and Therapy to Embrace Recovery) project proposes to expand current Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) services by 80% to adults (18 and older) clinically assessed with an Opioid Use Disorder (OUD), resulting in 350 unduplicated participants served over five years. Positive Impact Health Centers will be able to enhance current MAT services by using Extended Release Injectable Naltrexone (Vivitrol). Vivitrol, given every 28 days, is an opioid antagonist that blocks the effects of opioids. Injectable Naltrexone is not monitored by the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) because it is not a controlled substance, does not require a Drug Addiction Treatment Act of 2000 (DATA) waiver to prescribe and dispense, and it is less susceptible to diversion for illicit purposes.
The MAT program will serve unduplicated participants of 50 in year 1 (beginning 3 months following grant award), and 75 unduplicated participants in years 2-5. The MAT program will be supplemented with comprehensive, evidence-based substance abuse treatment in group format; Recovery Support Services (RSS) such as peer support in completing the WRAP (an EBP; Wellness Recovery Action Plan); individual substance abuse and mental health counseling; psychiatry; and incorporating technology (i.e., telehealth and a recovery-oriented smartphone app). Additional services include screening, brief intervention, referral to treatment (SBIRT), a comprehensive assessment using the Addiction Severity Index, transportation, and housing referrals. By enhancing treatment with Motivational Enhancement Therapy (an EBP), the I MATTER project will also assist participants in decreasing and/or abstaining from illicit opioid use at 6-month follow-up and in reducing HIV transmission risks by sustaining recovery. At least 80% of the project participants will receive a 6- and 12-month reassessment interview.
Participants will engage in the current state-licensed 9-month drug and alcohol treatment program at PIHC, which is based on the Matrix Model, an EBP and has three 90-day phases of group-level engagement: Intensive Outpatient Treatment. Transition, and Continuing Care. In addition, participants in the project can access other services provided by PIHC, including Cognitive Processing Therapy (an EBP for PTSD), HIV testing (CDC-funded), no-cost PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), HIV primary care (Ryan White-funded), HIV housing assistance (HOPWA-funded), and cis- and transgender women’s psychotherapy groups (HRSA-funded).
Participants that are uninsured or underinsured will be linked with a PIHC Insurance Navigator to secure an appropriate level of insurance that will include coverage for Naltrexone and detoxification (as necessary). For outreach and collaboration with community partners, over the course of years 1 – 5, PIHC staff and partner agencies will receive an in-service presentation by the project staff providing information on available services and education once per year to encourage stigma reduction related to OUD/COD treatment.