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Increase Access to Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) in Rural Areas – via Mobile Dosing Units and Increase Access to Telehealth

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There has been an increase in additional funding for addiction services. Yet only one in four people with opioid dependence will receive specialty addiction treatment (HHS, 2018). Almost 45.5% of individuals dependent on opioids also have a mental health diagnosis (HHS, 2018). Approximately 50% will receive treatment for either disorder. This treatment gap proclaims the significant need for more treatment resources (HHS, 2018).

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The recommendations from this site researcher to increase access to services may positively impact treatment availability in rural America. Inadequate funding, lack of transportation to treatment, stigma and limited community resources are common concerns for addiction treatment in rural America (Pullen & Oser, 2014). 

Enhancing Mobile Dosing and Telehealth Services May:

  1. Increase the number of clients who receive addiction services by taking qualified professionals to the clients. The Mobile Dosing Units can operate within a specific geographical area (for example will dose for individual clients within designated counties, towns, and cities).

  2. Provide Medication-Assisted Treatment for more people.

  3. Spread and expand addiction expertise throughout various areas that are lacking addiction resources.

Developed by Kimberly Floyd-Waibogha, LCSW-C, 2019

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