The impact of integrated care in community-based substance use treatment in Brazil: A longitudinal study

Integrated care (outpatient-inpatient) plays a vital function in community care for people with drug use problems. Its recent and innovative treatment model is representing a challenge for the deinstitutionalisation process. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of integrated care using biopsychosocial indicators. We conducted a prospective longitudinal study with 122 clients from the baseline undergoing integrated care of two Psychosocial Care Centers for Alcohol and Other Drugs in São Paulo, Brazil, with three months follow-up (February 2019-January 2020). To assess the biopsychosocial indicators of the impact, we used the Substance Addiction Consequences (SAC), WHOQOL-BREF quality of life scales and the psychosocial rehabilitation axes (housing, work/income, and support network). We conducted a longitudinal analysis with linear mixed-effects models. The integrated care impacted the reduction in the days of substance use and increase of abstinence with a significant difference for cannabis (p < 0.001) and crack (p = 0.021). It reduced the substance use harms in all SAC scale dimensions (p < 0.001). Quality of life increased and remained mainly associated with the psychological size (p < 0.001). All psychosocial rehabilitation axes improved with a difference for income (p = 0.025). The increase in people's participation in treatment was relevant. The integrated care of Brazilian services has a positive impact on reducing substance use days and harms associated, improves the quality of life and contributes to the psychosocial rehabilitation of clients. Should be taken efforts to maintain long-term results.