The opioid crisis continues to devastate communities across America, with approximately 100,000 people in the U.S. dying from drug-involved overdoses annually, 75% of which involve an opioid. Overdose is the leading cause of death of individuals between the ages of 18 and 45. Yet despite the severity of the crisis, only about one in five individuals with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) receives evidence-based medication-assisted treatment (MAT).
The network of affiliated CTCs at Acadia Healthcare is trying to address this treatment gap by offering a holistic approach that extends beyond medication alone.The 170 CTCs across 33 states within this affiliated network serve more than 72,500 patients through a model that combines FDA-approved medications with counseling and support services.
The Comprehensive Approach to Opioid Treatment
While medication remains a cornerstone of effective OUD treatment, CTCs within Acadia Healthcare’s affiliated network are designed around the recognition that medication paired with other clinical support elements can help to improve long-term recovery. The National Institutes of Health emphasizes the critical importance of psychotherapy for people in MAT programs, especially considering the frequency of underlying trauma, anxiety, and depression in this population.
“By addressing both the physical and psychological dimensions of OUD, MAT creates a holistic approach that reduces the risk of relapse, supports personal growth and fosters healthier relationships and life skills,” notes a recent report from Acadia Healthcare.
The counseling workforce within these affiliated facilities consists of over 1,200 counselors and counseling supervisors, along with nearly 100 peer support specialists, case managers, and community liaisons who provide additional wraparound support. These professionals work together to address the complex needs of individuals with OUD, recognizing that many patients face co-occurring disorders and social challenges that can complicate recovery.
Evidence-Based Therapeutic Modalities
Comprehensive Treatment Centers within Acadia Healthcare’s affiliated network offer access to a range of evidence-based therapeutic approaches that complement medication regimens or help to address other behavioral health needs treated within Acadia’s affiliated network of hospitals and facilities. These can include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, and trauma-informed care practices that help address the underlying factors contributing to substance use disorders.
Group therapy sessions can provide opportunities for peer support and shared learning, while individual counseling allows for personalized attention to each patient’s specific challenges. Many facilities in the affiliated network also incorporate family therapy, recognizing the importance of healing relationships damaged by addiction.
“This is a complex patient population with many patients facing co-morbidities including other substance use disorders and mental health conditions in addition to OUD,” explains Acadia Healthcare’s report. “Our counselors are specially trained to deal with substance use disorders and put patient safety above all else.” This approach reflects growing research indicating that combining medications with behavioral interventions may produce better outcomes than either approach alone. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), this integrated model can help patients improve functioning in multiple life domains, including employment, relationships, and physical health.
Addressing Social Determinants of Health
A distinguishing feature of the treatment approach at CTCs within Acadia Healthcare’s affiliated network involves attention given to social determinants of health: factors like housing instability, transportation barriers, unemployment, and lack of social support that can significantly impact recovery outcomes. Staff at these affiliated facilities often go beyond traditional clinical services, helping patients coordinate Medicaid-funded transportation, secure housing, find employment, and navigate community resources.
“Many of the services we provide often exceed what payors will reimburse, including time spent on addressing social determinants of health… Providing compassionate, patient-centered care is at the core of what our teams do every day,” notes Acadia Healthcare in its report.
Quality Standards
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), patients on methadone show a 33% reduction in opioid-positive drug tests. The National Institutes of Health found that opioid overdose deaths decreased by 59% for those receiving methadone and 38% for those receiving buprenorphine over a 12-month follow-up period.
Quality assurance within the affiliated network aims to maintain standards through accreditation and regular inspections. All CTCs in the network have received full accreditation from CARF International (formerly known as the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities), and, in a recent assessment, scored in the 99th percentile across CARF’s 13 identified measures.
The emphasis on addressing social determinants of health alongside clinical treatment reflects recognition that recovery from opioid use disorder often requires attention to housing, employment, transportation, and other life circumstances that can influence treatment outcomes. As communities continue to grapple with the ongoing opioid crisis, treatment models that combine multiple therapeutic approaches may play a role in bridging the gap between the scale of need and available resources.
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