Supporting medication-assisted recovery in recovery residences: staff support, managing built environment threats, and building a supportive network

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: While medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) are effective in reducing overdoses, widespread adoption and implementation of MOUD remains inadequate. Innovative approaches to promote MOUD use and to support people in their medication-assisted recovery (MAR) are needed. Recovery residences that serve people taking MOUD are steadily growing in number, yet little is known about how MOUD and the MAR pathway is promoted within the recovery residence setting. Objectives: The purpose of this qualitative analysis was to describe how recovery residences facilitate MOUD initiation and support residents’ MAR pathway. Methods: We conducted interviews with 93 residents (59.1% male; 38.7% female) living in recovery residences located in five Texas cities that served people taking medication for opioid use disorder. Results: We found that recovery residence staff addressed linkage to care gaps in their communities by connecting people who might benefit from MOUD to appropriate providers. Recovery residence staff also strengthened participants’ community of MAR-supportive peers by hosting or connecting residents to Medication-Assisted Recovery Anonymous meetings. Additionally, recovery residences helped some residents overcome common logistical barriers (e.g. transportation issues, housing instability, distance to providers) that hinder MOUD access. Conclusion: Recovery residences that serve people taking MOUD are a well-positioned recovery support service to promote MOUD initiation and the MAR pathway.