Integrating Ambulatory Addiction Consultation Service Into a Community Mental Health Center
In our premiere episode, we explore an innovative care model that places addiction consultation services directly inside a community mental health center. Based on the study by Dr. Ayana Jordan and colleagues, this approach aims to close the gap between addiction treatment and psychiatric care.
This model increases engagement, strengthens provider confidence, and supports individuals with co-occurring disorders—right where they already receive care.
Why It Matters
Community mental health centers are often where people first seek help, but substance use care is frequently siloed or under-resourced. This model challenges that by embedding addiction specialists into outpatient psychiatric settings—supporting both patients and clinical teams.
Key Takeaways
- Integrated models improve retention: Patients were more likely to remain in care when addiction services were offered on-site.
- Provider confidence increased: Psychiatric staff felt more supported managing SUD cases with access to addiction specialists.
- Policy implication: The success of this model speaks to a need for structural funding to support cross-disciplinary, integrated care.
Beyond the Mic
“Addiction is often siloed in our system. But this work shows that when we integrate care with intention and equity in mind, we get better outcomes for both patients and providers.”
— theprayingpsychiatrist, Host
Featured Resource
Study Reference:
Jordan A, Dickson B, et al. (2023). Integrating Ambulatory Addiction Consultation Service Into a Community Mental Health Center
Read the study → DOI: 10.1097/ADM.0000000000001081
https://opioidresponsenetwork.org
