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Substance Screening and Referral for Substance Abuse Treatment in an Integrated Mental Health Care Program

Year: 2013

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: This study examined rates of substance screening and referral for substance abuse treatment as part of an integrated care program providing mental health services to low-income patients in primary care. METHODS: Adults (N=11,150) who were enrolled in the program between 2008 and 2010 were included. Primary outcomes included substance screening rates, treatment referral rates, and correlates of accessing recommended treatment. RESULTS: A total of 7,513 (67%) participants were screened for substance abuse. Among the 2,856 (38%) participants with a positive screen, 1,344 (47%) were referred for treatment. After adjustment for covariates, accessing recommended treatment was associated with past substance abuse treatment history, alcohol use, heavy drug use, posttraumatic stress disorder, and number of follow-up contacts with a care manager. CONCLUSION: This study of a vulnerable population highlights missed opportunities for identifying and referring patients in primary care to substance abuse treatment.

Source: Psychiatric Services

DOI: 10.1176/appi.ps.201200082

Authors: Ya-Fen Chan, Hsiang Huang, Nida Sieu, Jürgen Unützer

Institutions: Cambridge Health Alliance, Harvard University, University of Washington, Hôpital du Sacré-Cœur de Montréal, Université de Montréal

Language: English

Topic: Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes

Subfield: Epidemiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Mental Health