Estimation and Comparison of Travel Burden to Outpatient, Opioid Treatment Program, and Residential Substance Use Disorder Treatment Programs

Transportation burdens are significantly higher for outpatient treatment and OTPs compared with residential treatment, and for OTPs compared with outpatient treatment, especially in rural areas. Reducing travel time and cost through strategies including telehealth, flexible methadone take-home dosing, mobile medication units, and integration of methadone treatment into other outpatient programs are needed to improve accessibility.