TY - JOUR
AU - C. Phillips
AU - M. C. Mejia
AU - D. Peters
AU - J. Kalathoor
AU - L. Sacca
AU - B. Andric
A1 - 
AB - OBJECTIVES: Accessible, evidence-based treatment for substance use disorders (SUDs) remain a public health challenge due to complex clinical and social needs and barriers to long-term engagement. This study describes a five-year evaluation of a low-barrier, outpatient SUD treatment program implemented by the Health Care District of Palm Beach County, Florida, focusing on trends in functional recovery using the Brief Addiction Monitor (BAM) functional assessment. METHODS: Between February 2018 to March 2023, participants with substance use disorders received care through a Federally Qualified Healthcare Center (FQHC) based integrated model offering medication for opioid use disorder, other Medication assisted treatment, behavioral health services, medical , psychiatric, peer services, and care coordination. The BAM was administered at baseline and approximately every three months to assess substance use, risk, and protective factors. Data were analyzed per assessment to reflect variability in patient engagement and follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 2,425 patients completed 5,277 BAM assessments. Among those with repeated assessments (n = 982), the average substance use score declined from 5.19 to 3.45, while the risk score dropped from 14.61 to 11.01. Protective scores increased from 10.65 to 12.40. Reported opiate use decreased from 26.1% at baseline to 17.3% at follow-up. Self-reported overdose history declined from 38.6% to 17.5% (added in 2021). Patient satisfaction improved, with “extremely satisfied” responses rising from 21.6% to 36.5%. CONCLUSIONS: This descriptive evaluation highlights the potential of low-threshold, integrated care models to support recovery-oriented outcomes in real-world settings. Routine use of tools like the BAM enabled multidimensional monitoring of progress despite challenges with retention and data completeness. Findings underscore the importance of flexible, patient-centered approaches to managing the chronic nature of SUD. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13722-025-00625-3.
AD - Health Care District of Palm Beach, 1515 N. Flagler, Suite 100, West Palm Beach, FL, 33401, USA. cphillips@hcdpbc.org.; Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, USA.; Health Care District of Palm Beach, 1515 N. Flagler, Suite 100, West Palm Beach, FL, 33401, USA.
AN - 41353433
BT - Addict Sci Clin Pract
C5 - Opioids & Substance Use
CP - 1
DA - Dec 6
DO - 10.1186/s13722-025-00625-3
DP - NLM
ET - 20251206
IS - 1
JF - Addict Sci Clin Pract
LA - eng
N2 - OBJECTIVES: Accessible, evidence-based treatment for substance use disorders (SUDs) remain a public health challenge due to complex clinical and social needs and barriers to long-term engagement. This study describes a five-year evaluation of a low-barrier, outpatient SUD treatment program implemented by the Health Care District of Palm Beach County, Florida, focusing on trends in functional recovery using the Brief Addiction Monitor (BAM) functional assessment. METHODS: Between February 2018 to March 2023, participants with substance use disorders received care through a Federally Qualified Healthcare Center (FQHC) based integrated model offering medication for opioid use disorder, other Medication assisted treatment, behavioral health services, medical , psychiatric, peer services, and care coordination. The BAM was administered at baseline and approximately every three months to assess substance use, risk, and protective factors. Data were analyzed per assessment to reflect variability in patient engagement and follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 2,425 patients completed 5,277 BAM assessments. Among those with repeated assessments (n = 982), the average substance use score declined from 5.19 to 3.45, while the risk score dropped from 14.61 to 11.01. Protective scores increased from 10.65 to 12.40. Reported opiate use decreased from 26.1% at baseline to 17.3% at follow-up. Self-reported overdose history declined from 38.6% to 17.5% (added in 2021). Patient satisfaction improved, with “extremely satisfied” responses rising from 21.6% to 36.5%. CONCLUSIONS: This descriptive evaluation highlights the potential of low-threshold, integrated care models to support recovery-oriented outcomes in real-world settings. Routine use of tools like the BAM enabled multidimensional monitoring of progress despite challenges with retention and data completeness. Findings underscore the importance of flexible, patient-centered approaches to managing the chronic nature of SUD. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13722-025-00625-3.
PY - 2025
SN - 1940-0632 (Print); 1940-0632
SP - 4
ST - Tracking functional recovery in a community-based substance use disorder program: a five-year descriptive evaluation using the brief addiction monitor
T1 - Tracking functional recovery in a community-based substance use disorder program: a five-year descriptive evaluation using the brief addiction monitor
T2 - Addict Sci Clin Pract
TI - Tracking functional recovery in a community-based substance use disorder program: a five-year descriptive evaluation using the brief addiction monitor
U1 - Opioids & Substance Use
U3 - 10.1186/s13722-025-00625-3
VL - 21
VO - 1940-0632 (Print); 1940-0632
Y1 - 2025
ER -