Comparing Perceptions of Addiction Treatment between Professionals and Individuals in Recovery

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this qualitative study was to compare and contrast the differing perspectives of service users and professionals regarding the current substance use disorders (SUD) services provided in Summit County, Ohio. Seven focus groups were conducted with 44 participants (52.3% male, mean age 46 years), including 15 individuals in recovery, 16 direct service providers, and 13 executive directors. The participants were asked about three areas: (1) effective treatment for SUD, (2) challenges for persons with SUD, and (3) suggestions for improving SUD treatment outcomes. The data were analyzed and coded according to major themes. Results: While there were numerous emergent themes that were concordant between service use and professionals, several differing themes between the groups were also identified. First, participants disagreed on the effectiveness of medication-assisted treatment/Medications for Opioid Use Disorder. Second, professionals identified trauma, stigma, “one-size-fits-all” approach to treatment, and limitations set by managed care act as barriers to treatment, whereas individuals in recovery reported difficulty dealing with feelings, feeling of being rushed into recovery, and the lack of long-term recovery plans as the most significant barriers. Lastly, in order to improve treatment outcomes, professionals emphasized the importance of education unlike individuals in recovery who identified sober supports as the most important factor. Conclusion: This study identified challenges in SUD recovery and highlights essential areas for consideration when developing and implementing SUD treatment. The findings can be used as guidelines to provide better services to individuals with SUDs.

Supplemental data for this article is available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/10826084.2022.2058706 .

Keywords:

• Addiction
• opioid addiction
• substance abuse
• substance use disorder
• qualitative research

Acknowledgements

We have no known conflicts of interest to disclose. This work was funded by the United Way of Summit County in Akron, Ohio. We thank John Ellis (PI) for his support and the participants who generously shared their experiences and perspectives with us for this study. Special thanks to Dave Rich and Seth Kujat at the United Way of Summit County and the following master-level research assistants: Jerry Hackley, Justyna Melnyk, and Jennifer Mancino.

Declaration of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.

Focus group questions for professionals

1. What is the most effective treatment for opiate involved persons or persons with addiction in general?

2. What is the biggest challenge for them (opiate involved persons or persons with addiction)?

3. What is the one most important thing we can do to improve positive treatment outcomes?

4. What aspect of treatment is most helpful? Why?

5. What is working best for opiate involved clients?

6. What are your thoughts on Medication Assisted Ttreatments (MATs)? Methadone? Suboxone? Vivitrol? Naloxone?

7. Programs have drop out rates. What is the biggest barrier to people completing treatment?

8. What is the biggest contributor to relapse in early recovery <1 year?

9. Where are the biggest gaps in the addictions treatment continuum?

10. What are the most important things a person need to succeed in recovery?

11. What changes can be made to make treatment more effective?

12. Do treatment programs work well with one another when making referrals?

Focus group questions for recovery group

1. What is the most effective treatment for individuals with addiction?

2. What is the biggest challenge for individuals with addiction?

3. What aspect of treatment is most helpful? Why?

4. What are your thoughts on MAT’s? Methadone? Suboxone? Vivitrol? Naloxone?

5. Programs have drop out rates. What is the biggest barrier to people completing treatment?

6. What is the biggest contributor to relapse in early recovery <1 year?

7. Where are the biggest gaps in the addictions treatment continuum?

8. What are the most important things a person need to succeed in recovery?

9. Do treatment programs work well with one another when making referrals?

10. What guidance would you give to tx providers to better help people like you?

11. How long did you wait to get into treatment?

12. How could treatment have better prepared you for recovery?