Using a Recovery Oriented System of Care (ROSC) model to encourage engagement in SUD treatment

Background: Recent studies suggest that, after referral, only 25% of persons in Montgomery County, Ohio, in need of substance use disorder (SUD) treatment actually link to services. Furthermore, a local study indicates that the average wait time between referral to treatment and engagement is 69.8 days (Carr et al., 2008). The One-Stop to Wellness ROSC program was designed to both increase the availability of a variety of SUD treatment services and to reduce the delay between referral and initiation of treatment services.

Methods: Participants were offered opportunities to engage in a variety of services, including case management, individual counseling, group counseling, pre-employment coaching, alcohol and other drug (AOD) testing, mental health screening, care coordination and other recovery support options. The number and breadth of services utilized was defined by each participant. Outcome measures, including AOD use, were obtained from self-reported data at baseline and 6-month follow-up.

Results: Matched baseline and follow-up data were available for 186 enrolled participants.  Of those enrolled, 109 (58.6%) engaged in services provided by the ROSC program. The average number of days between baseline and service initiation was 29.8. In addition, paired samples t-tests indicated significant decreases in AOD use from baseline to follow-up (p <0.01).

Conclusions: As is evident from the increased number of participants engaging in SUD treatment services, the decrease in delay between baseline and initiation of those services and the overall decrease in AOD usage, the design and implementation of the ROSC program is positively affecting the lives of its participants.