Play 8: Expand treatment programs after incarceration

Summary
Abundant research shows greater success for preventing subsequent opioid use disorders for released inmates when medication-assisted treatment (see play #7) is fully integrated with behavioral health treatment, indicating that collaboration between health care providers and behavioral health departments can have a positive effect on preventing the reoccurrence of these disorders.

A play consisting of an integrated substance use disorder treatment program designed expressly for released offenders will need to encompass a breadth of treatments, which may include both behavior modification and MAT. Evaluations of post-release substance use disorder treatments have generally shown positive results for reducing both relapse rates and recidivism.

Example: Virginia and California have both developed expanded post-incarceration treatment programs, and SAMHSA,
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, offers a guide for improving such programs.

Theory of Change
The provision of substance use disorder treatment for a sufficient period of time, and including a robust set of methods, will have the effect of diminishing the prospects of relapse, preventing the further use of opioids and other substances, and reducing the probability of recidivism.