Substance use disorder treatment for justice-involved individuals
Learn how telehealth is being used to provide substance use disorder treatment for justice-involved individuals.
It is important to support people involved in the justice system that have mental health needs. This includes individuals with substance use disorder. These health conditions often require medication and treatment. Telehealth is a way to support the health care needs of justice-involved individuals.
Bay Rivers Telehealth Alliance (BRTA) coordinates telehealth services in rural Virginia. In partnership with community-based services, the HRSA-funded project provides substance use disorder treatment for people involved with the justice system. The programs treat people both inside and outside of correctional facilities. The team uses a mobile van to deliver care to a local regional jail. The justice-involved individuals come into the van for a two-way audio-video visit with a remote therapist. The increase in access to care through telehealth has helped hundreds of people receive treatment for substance use disorder and behavioral health needs.
The increase in access to care through telehealth has helped hundreds of people receive treatment for substance use disorder.
BRTA partnered with a center for addiction treatment to expand access to treatment. They opened three new clinics to provide outpatient substance use treatment for a broader population using telehealth. This includes justice-involved individuals living in the community.
Telehealth helps justice-involved individuals receive behavioral health treatment.
Patients have reported positive experiences using telehealth to access substance use disorder services. One person said: “I promise if you are thinking now is the time to get clean and sober, this is the place; these people will help you get there and stay there.”
BRTA also works with community partners to help individuals as they reenter the community. Patients, even those who move to other parts of the state, can continue to see their therapist virtually. Telehealth helps justice-involved individuals receive behavioral health treatment, including after they reenter the community.