Social Workers’ Knowledge and Perceptions of Effectiveness and Acceptability of Medication Assisted Treatment of Substance Use Disorders

摘要

Data from a national study of 345 privately-funded, community-based substance use disorder (SUD) treatment centers was 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 towards treatment has a negative influence on social workers’ opinions regarding the acceptability of MATs.