ResearchProjects

In 2024, SAMHSA permanently adopted regulations allowing for extended take-home doses (THD) of methadone, which have been shown to significantly improve the patient experience in methadone maintenance treatment. Despite the new regulations, uptake of extended THD has remained limited in most opioid treatment programs (OTPs). State agencies that oversee OTPs (e.g. state opioid treatment authorities) and funding of opioid use disorder treatment (e.g. state Medicaid agencies) could play a critical role in facilitating adoption of extended THD by using implementation strategies (i.e., techniques used to facilitate adoption, implementation, and sustainability of a practice).

This study will identify state implementation strategies for expanding use of THD and the bundle of strategies most strongly associated with uptake of extended THD.

This work will inform best practices for uptake of more patient-centered methadone treatment and accelerate knowledge translation to reduce overdose deaths.