Study Finds High Engagement in Medication Treatment Among Primary Care Patients with Opioid Use Disorder

Recent research indicates that most primary care patients diagnosed with opioid use disorder (OUD) who initiate medication treatment tend to remain engaged in their care. Despite the proven lifesaving benefits of medications such as buprenorphine, methadone, and injectable naltrexone, less than one-third of individuals with OUD receive evidence-based treatment. The study, published in The Annals of Family Medicine, analyzed electronic health records and insurance claims from 33 clinics in Washington State spanning from 2015 to 2023.

The study involved 1,502 adults who reported opioid use or moderate to severe substance-use symptoms during their primary care visits. Researchers examined the rates of treatment initiation—defined as receiving medication within 14 days of screening—and ongoing engagement, marked by at least one additional dose within the following 34 days.

Key findings revealed that among patients with moderate symptoms, only 10% started medication treatment, of whom 75% stayed engaged. Conversely, among those with severe symptoms, 26% initiated treatment, with 76% remaining engaged in the subsequent month. Importantly, patients with severe symptoms were more likely both to start and maintain treatment than those with moderate symptoms.

Despite the willingness of patients to report substance use, routine screening alone did not significantly increase treatment initiation. This suggests that screening should be complemented with proactive, patient-centered strategies and integrated systems to improve treatment uptake and retention. Overall, the research highlights the need for enhanced approaches to convert screening into meaningful treatment engagement, ultimately saving lives.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-primary-patients-opioid-disorder-treatment.html