NC Study Exposes Treatment Gaps, Paves Way for Reform

A groundbreaking study from North Carolina State University is shining a bright light on gaps in addiction treatment, giving lawmakers and advocates the data they need to protect vulnerable people seeking help.

Researchers led by Jennifer Carroll conducted the first statewide inventory of residential substance use treatment providers in North Carolina. Their comprehensive investigation assessed what services these facilities actually offer versus what science shows works best.

The team used an innovative "secret shopper" approach, calling 94 providers across the state while posing as people seeking help for heroin addiction. This real-world method revealed important information about how different programs operate and what patients actually experience when they reach out for help.

The findings uncovered concerning patterns that advocacy groups can now address. Many facilities weren't providing opioid agonist treatment, which medical research identifies as the safest and most effective approach for opioid use disorder.

The study also found that over 40% of surveyed providers required unpaid labor from patients, often without state licensing oversight. Many operated under a faith-based exemption that allows them to skip standard licensing requirements.

Why This Inspires

This research represents exactly the kind of evidence-based advocacy that leads to meaningful change. Carroll and her team didn't just identify problems; they created a roadmap for solutions.

Their comprehensive data gives policymakers concrete information to close loopholes and ensure people seeking addiction treatment get access to evidence-based care. Advocacy organizations now have the documentation they need to push for licensing reforms that protect patients.

The study also highlights a path forward: increasing access to licensed facilities that provide opioid agonist treatment, the gold standard in care. When vulnerable people reach out for help, they deserve treatment that science shows actually works.

This kind of transparent, rigorous research protects people in crisis and holds systems accountable. Every data point in this study represents a potential life saved through better policy and improved access to legitimate medical care.

The paper appears in the journal Substance Use & Misuse, where it will inform researchers, policymakers, and advocates working to improve addiction treatment nationwide.