Document Type
Article
Publication Date
6-2025
Abstract
This summary report presents findings from interviews with twelve persons with lived experience of substance use disorder (PWLE). The interviews asked persons in recovery about their experiences accessing withdrawal management and broader substance use treatment services across Maine. Participants identified key barriers to treatment including high costs, limited bed availability, long wait times, geographic inaccessibility, and lack of centralized information. Gaps in service infrastructure, particularly for opioid withdrawal management, long-term treatment, and transition supports post-detox, were widely reported. Participants emphasized the critical need for more localized and individualized services, particularly for parents, rural residents, and low-income individuals. Recommendations include expanding statewide detoxification capacity, improving care coordination, creating centralized resources for treatment navigation, and addressing stigma within the healthcare system. For more information, please contact Lindsey Smith at m.lindsey.smith@maine.edu
Recommended Citation
Smith, ML., & Rosingana, K. (2025). Feedback on withdrawal management services in Maine from persons with lived expereience. University of Southern Maine, Catherine Cutler Institute, Substance Use Research and Evaluation Unit.
Included in
Health Policy Commons, Policy Design, Analysis, and Evaluation Commons, Substance Abuse and Addiction Commons
Comments
This project was supported by the State of Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) as part of a Cooperative Agreement with funds originating from the Federal Government. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by DHHS or the Federal Government. The Maine DHHS Office of Medicaid Services provided funding for this summary product.