SAMHSA reports 39% increase in opioid treatment programs since 2003

The number of federally-approved opioid treatment programs, which are qualified to dispense methadone and buprenorphine for opioid use disorders, increased 39% between 2003 and 2016, according to a new report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. About 10% of all substance use treatment facilities had OTPs in 2015. Non-OTP facilities with a specially trained physician on staff also can offer buprenorphine treatment. About 58% of OTPs and 21% of non-OTP facilities offered buprenorphine in 2015, up from 11% and 5% in 2003, respectively. The number of OTP clients receiving methadone increased from 227,000 in 2003 to more than 350,000 in 2015. The data, from the National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services, do not include private physicians who are not affiliated with a substance abuse treatment program or facility.