A Roadmap for Maximizing the Use and Effectiveness of Recovery Housing for Individuals Prescribed Medications for Opiate Use Disorders

Safe and stable housing is increasingly acknowledged as essential for recovery from alcohol and drug use disorders. However, research regarding the outcomes for residents recovering from opioid use disorder (OUD), especially those receiving medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), remains limited.

This article, co-authored by PHI’s Alcohol Research Group and published in Frontiers in Public Health, features insights from experts in recovery housing and OUD treatment who serve as Advisory Board members for the Infrastructure for Studying Treatment and Addiction Recovery Residences (I-STARR) project. It discusses key research and training priorities concerning recovery housing for individuals prescribed MOUD. Drawing on the results, the article outlines a roadmap to create a solid evidence base for recovery housing tailored to those receiving MOUD.

Methods:

This article presents results from an informal survey (N = 15) and discussion with experts in the recovery housing and OUD treatment fields serving as Advisory Board members on the Infrastructure for Studying Treatment and Addiction Recovery Residences (I-STARR) project regarding priorities for research and training on recovery housing for individuals prescribed MOUD.

Results:

Three of the highest-ranked research topics identified were: (1) Assessment of recovery housing outcomes of people prescribed MOUD and factors that may influence outcomes; (2) Examination of factors associated with MOUD adherence among recovery housing residents; and (3) Strategies to increase linkage between MOUD prescribers/treatment providers and recovery residence operators. Additional topics emerged during discussion, most prominently the examination of barriers to, and facilitators of, accessing recovery housing among people prescribed MOUD. The highest-rated training topic for researchers and recovery housing operators was challenges faced by recovery housing operators.

Conclusion:

Research is urgently needed to establish an evidence base on recovery housing for those prescribed MOUD, and both researchers and operators in the field would benefit from training to ensure that potential challenges to moving research forward on this topic are addressed.

Originally published by Frontiers in Public Health