Integrating addiction medicine into rural primary care: Strategies and initial outcomes

This retrospective study describes the role of behavioral health in an addiction medicine program integrated in a primary care clinic, and evaluates retention, substance use, and mental health symptoms for patients in a rural underserved community.

Data were abstracted from records of patients referred for buprenorphine treatment of opioid use disorder (N = 101; 45% female, 23% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, Mage = 42.5, SD = 12.75). Among patients prescribed buprenorphine (n = 61), most had comorbid substance-related diagnoses (72% with tobacco use, 75% with at least one other substance use disorder) and non-substance-related mental health diagnoses (77%), most commonly depression and anxiety. Integrated sessions with a behavioral health provider and a buprenorphine-waivered prescriber occurred weekly to monthly. Participants completed depression and anxiety questionnaires (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-7) and provided urine samples at each visit.

Most patients (72%) were retained for at least 3 months, with early dropout associated with higher initial depression and anxiety scores. Inconsistent urine drug tests (i.e., those positive for illicit/nonprescribed substances) were significantly more common at treatment initiation (74%) than during the most recent visit (43%, p < .001), and were associated with baseline substance and other mental health factors, as well as shorter treatment duration. Generalized estimating equations models suggested time-based improvements in depression and anxiety symptoms, especially for patients retained for at least 3 months.

Integrating wraparound addiction treatment within a rural primary care setting is feasible and associated with improved mental health and retention outcomes. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).