Social workers' knowledge and perceptions of effectiveness and acceptability of medication assisted treatment of substance use disorders

Soc Work Health Care. 2013;52(1):43-58. doi: 10.1080/00981389.2012.725457.

Abstract

Data from a national study of 345 privately funded, community-based substance use disorder (SUD) treatment centers were used to investigate social workers' knowledge, perceptions of effectiveness, and perceptions of the acceptability of medication assisted treatments (MATs) for SUDs. Results reveal the importance of exposure to MATs for social workers to develop a knowledge base regarding the effectiveness of various pharmacological agents. Results also underline the importance of social workers' perceptions of effectiveness in forming opinions regarding the acceptability of the use of MATs in SUD treatment. Lastly, a 12-Step orientation toward treatment has a negative influence on social workers' opinions regarding the acceptability of MATs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Alcohol Deterrents / therapeutic use
  • Analgesics, Opioid / therapeutic use
  • Community Health Services
  • Confidence Intervals
  • Evidence-Based Practice
  • Female
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Narcotic Antagonists / therapeutic use
  • Odds Ratio
  • Social Work*
  • Substance Abuse Treatment Centers
  • Substance-Related Disorders / drug therapy*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Alcohol Deterrents
  • Analgesics, Opioid
  • Narcotic Antagonists