Facilitating rapid access to addiction treatment: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Obtaining timely access to addiction medicine treatment for patients with substance use disorders is challenging and patients often have to navigate complex referral pathways. This randomized controlled trial examines the effect of providing an expedited pathway to addiction medicine treatment on initial treatment engagement and health care utilization. METHODS: Individuals with possible alcohol or opioid use disorder were recruited from three residential withdrawal management services (WMS). Subjects randomized to the Delayed Intervention (DI) group were given contact information for a nearby addiction medicine clinic; those randomized to the Rapid Intervention (RI) group were given an appointment at the clinic within 2 days and were accompanied to their first appointment. RESULTS: Of the 174 individuals who were screened, 106 were randomized to either the DI or RI group. The two groups were similar in demographics, housing status, and substance use in the last 30 days. In the 6-month period following randomization, 85% of the RI group attended at least one clinic appointment, compared to only 29% in the DI group (p < 0.0001). The RI group had a mean of 6.39 ED visits per subject in the 12 months after randomization, while the DI group had a mean of 13.02 ED visits per subject in the same 12-month period (p = 0.0469). Other health utilization measures did not differ between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Providing immediate facilitated access to an addiction medicine service resulted in greater initial engagement and reduced emergency department visits at 6 months. Trial registration This trial is registered at the National Institutes of Health (ClinicalTrials.gov) under identifier #NCT01934751. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13722-021-00240-y.