Medication-Assisted Treatment for a Jail-Based Population: Does a Dose per Day Keep the Anxiety, Stress, and Depression away?

While studies have found medication assisted treatment (MAT) to produce beneficial outcomes, few scholars have explored the immediate impact of jail-based MAT on mental well-being. Improved mental well-being arising from MAT participation in jail may increase the likelihood of continued participation in MAT post-release. To understand the impact of jail-based MAT on psychological well-being, pre- and post-test surveys with residents from a county jail in the northeastern U.S. were conducted to measure changes in stress, anxiety, depression, and self-esteem. The study also explored possible differences between jail residents participating in MAT alone and those who combined MAT with other available treatment programs. Results revealed significant differences in anxiety and stress among those participating in MAT. Bivariate and multivariate analyses also indicate that MAT combined with a jail-based drug treatment community, produces better outcomes than MAT alone.