A Stabilizing “Anchor” or a Restrictive “Ball and Chain": Perspectives of Medically Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder

Author

Alexander J. Gaudelli, University of Central FloridaFollow

Keywords

Medically Assisted Treatment; Opioid Use Disorder; Residential Treatment; Substance Use Disorders; Stigma; Mental Health

Abstract

This study examines participant perspectives of medically assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder (OUD) in relation to critical factors such as overdose risk, stigma, housing, access, mental health, and criminal behavior. Nineteen participants were recruited from a residential treatment center for SUDs (substance use disorders) and asked about how MAT impacts these factors and their recovery. Findings indicate that MAT has positive impacts on perceptions of the ability to recover, overdose risk, mental health, and criminal behavior. However, there are significant flaws in the current system, including barriers to access and housing opportunities. These issues illustrate the need for changes in the current infrastructure of MAT and SUDs treatment that enable the many benefits of MAT.

Thesis Completion Year

2024

Thesis Completion Semester

Summer

Thesis Chair

Donley, Amy

College

College of Sciences

Department

Department of Sociology

Thesis Discipline

Sociology

Language

English

Access Status

Open Access

Length of Campus Access

None

Campus Location

Orlando (Main) Campus

STARS Citation

Gaudelli, Alexander J., "A Stabilizing “Anchor” or a Restrictive “Ball and Chain": Perspectives of Medically Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder" (2024). Honors Undergraduate Theses. 140.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/hut2024/140