Residential recovery services in Massachusetts – voices from the field

In 2011-12 the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Bureau of Substance Abuse Services (BSAS) undertook a comprehensive review of its residential substance abuse recovery system in anticipation of a re-procurement of service. Focus groups were a major component of this effort. In a series of 11 focus groups held around the state, current and former residents, family and friends, service providers, and other stakeholders, described their experiences and expressed their views about what residential services should and could be. Major areas explored include: serving persons with co-occurring disorders; integrating medication into a residential program (including medications for physical or mental health conditions as well as methadone, Suboxone, etc.); underserved groups such as young adults; the important role of case management; and the need for clinical supervision. This presentation describes the process and outcomes of these focus groups, and the BSAS action taken in response.