Text Message Reminders About Free Transportation for Outpatient Substance Use Disorder Treatment: A Pilot Randomized Encouragement Study.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Substance use disorders (SUDs) are a major epidemic in the USA. Patients who lack transportation may have limited access to outpatient SUD treatment programs and are less likely to remain in care. Encouraging the use of free, reliable transportation during enrollment is an untested mechanism for greater retention.

Methods

A pragmatic pilot study was conducted in Southwest Ohio between November 2020 and July 2022, among people with SUDs like opioid and alcohol use disorders who enrolled in an outpatient treatment program and screened positive for transportation barriers. Eligible patients were offered free, unlimited transportation for the first 12 weeks of treatment and randomized 1:1 to receive weekly text message reminders to schedule their ride (intervention)

SUBMITTER: Chaiyachati KH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12855645 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature