Medication First Approach
The Missouri Department of Mental Health and Opioid STR/SOR grant partners have developed and disseminated a “Medication First” treatment approach to OUD, analogous to the Housing First approach to chronic homelessness, across dozens of Missouri’s state-funded substance use disorder treatment programs.
Key Principles of Medication First
- People with OUD receive pharmacotherapy treatment as quickly as possible, prior to lengthy assessments or treatment planning sessions;
- Maintenance pharmacotherapy is delivered without arbitrary tapering or time limits;
- Individualized psychosocial services are continually offered but not required as a condition of pharmacotherapy;
- Pharmacotherapy is discontinued only if it is worsening the person’s condition.