Young people starting opioid treatment see low retention rates nationally
New national data from 2016 to 2023 show that while more adolescents receive addiction medications, few stay on them for six months.
Initial treatment access improved slightly
Researchers analyzed Medicaid records and insurance claims for patients aged 13 to 25 diagnosed with opioid use disorder. About half of these young people began seeing a clinician, yet only one in six received medication. The number of youth continuing care dropped even as overdose deaths rose sharply after 2019.
Six month retention remains very low
Just one in 32 patients remained on medication for a full half year according to the study. This rate is lower than previous levels despite overall increases in starting treatment. Experts note that continuity of care faces significant challenges during this period.
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