Supporting Treatment Access and Recovery Through Linkage and Support

This 3-year Hybrid Type 1 study will randomize 208 people with co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders (COD) referred from the Worcester Hub. This study seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of MISSION, a multi-component team approach, versus linkage with a Peer Specialist on improving outcomes among individuals with CODs. We expect that individuals receiving MISSION versus linkage only will show greater improvement in treatment engagement, substance use, and mental health outcomes. This study will also concurrently conduct a process evaluation to inform sustainability and future implementation of such interventions.

Inclusion Criteria:Are 18 or older;Have a COD (1 or more substance use disorders (e.g., alcohol and illicit substances), and a mental health disorder (including depression, anxiety, trauma related disorders, bipolar, and/or schizophrenia);Are in the Hub; andAre not engaged in other ongoing multi-component treatment for COD with a behavioral health treatment provider or have not seen their provider for at least 3 months.Exclusion Criteria:We will exclude individuals who are acutely psychotic, acutely suicidal with a plan, or homicidalOr with concurrent severe alcohol use disorder or high dose benzodiazepine requiring detoxification.