USA. Decisions in Recovery: A New Shared Decision-Making Tool for Medication-Assisted Treatment
USA. Decisions in Recovery: A New Shared Decision-Making Tool for Medication-Assisted Treatment
By: Paolo del Vecchio, M.S.W., Director, Center for Mental Health Services, and Kimberly Johnson, Ph.D., Director, Center for Substance Abuse Treatment
Opioid use disorder is one of the most serious public health challenges facing our nation, affecting nearly 2.4 million Americans in 2015. Unfortunately, many who need treatment are not receiving it. Giving people access to information on treatment options could be the first step to entering treatment and recovery. One of these treatment approaches is medication-assisted treatment (MAT), which combines approved medication with recovery support, lifestyle changes, and professional treatment.
SAMHSA’s new online tool, Decisions in Recovery: Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder, helps people with opioid use disorder learn about using MAT treatment options to strengthen their recovery. This tool features content on the stages of medication-assisted recovery, how to build a recovery support team, and recovery resources. (SAMHSA - The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2017)