Last Updated: Jun 2024

Author: Division of Substance Use Programs, Vermont Department of Health

COVID-19 negatively impacted people substance use disorder treatment, consistent with the impact of people accessing medical care.  Substance use disorder treatment providers closed in many states due to COVID-19, but all of Vermont's providers remained in business during that period.  Since then, providers have been having trouble hiring staff and several providers have closed their doors, decreasing the number of people that can be served in they system.

The Division Substance Use Programs (DSU) requires the preferred provider network employ evidence-based practices as outlined by the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM; see reference below). It is important to note that not every person in formal or informal treatment is in the DSU preferred provider network. The number of people in the DSU system is a function of system capacity capacity both in and outside the preferred provider system.  As spoke capacity has increased substantially throughout the state, people with opioid use disorder have more opportunity and choice in accessing medication assisted treatment outside the preferred provider system. The DSU goal is to have the capacity to treat at least 7350 individuals per quarter in the preferred provider system. Capacity in an evidence-based network is an important measure of the ability of the system to quickly and effectively respond to addiction treatment demand. The increase in overall capacity has been driven largely by increases in medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD). As we achieve enough capacity and access to MOUD, DSU continues to look for opportunities to increase participation in and options for treatment focusing on other use disorders, such as alcohol.

Reference:

American Society of Addiction Medicine (2013).The ASAM Criteria:Treatment Criteria for Addictive, Substance-Related, and Co-Occurring Conditions.Carson City, NV:The Change Companies.

Division of Substane Use Programs (DSU) Preferred Provider network.

ASAM evidence-based treatment criteria.

Continue offering ASAM guided treatment through the DSU provider system.

These data are based on the Substance Abuse Treatment Information System (SATIS) which collects admission, service, and discharge information for each treatment Preferred Provider funded by DSU

Delays in the receipt of data by the Preferred Providers may impact the measures.