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Article
Medication Assisted Treatment: Experiences from the Field
Perspectives on Social Work (2016)
  • Michael Gearhart, University of Missouri-St. Louis
  • Lacey Caporale
  • Margaret B Sladky
  • Mark I. Singer
  • Madison Wheeler
  • Paul Tuschman
Abstract
The use of heroin and other opiates has increased considerably in recent years with many users becoming involved with the criminal justice system. Because of this growth, the use of medication assisted treatment is becoming increasingly popular in courts that specialize in opiate addictions. This paper analyzes the experiences of treatment teams in courts that specialize in providing medication assisted treatment. Overall, perceptions of medication assisted treatment were positive although service providers identified some limitations. Recognizing the benefits and limitations of medication assisted treatment is useful for social work practice that focuses on opiate addictions because heroin use continues to rise.
Keywords
  • medication assisted treatment,
  • opiate addiction,
  • drug courts
Disciplines
Publication Date
2016
Citation Information
Michael Gearhart, Lacey Caporale, Margaret B Sladky, Mark I. Singer, et al.. "Medication Assisted Treatment: Experiences from the Field" Perspectives on Social Work Vol. 12 Iss. 2 (2016) p. 4 - 11
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/michael-gearhart/4/