Individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD) who receive peer support services have improved treatment engagement over a one-year period and reduced risk of overdose.

Background

Peer support services have been shown to improve engagement in substance use disorder treatment. This study examines their long-term impact on service use by analyzing Kentucky Medicaid claims for over 10,000 beneficiaries with OUD who received peer support, compared to a control group of more than 15,000 beneficiaries who received OUD treatment without peer support.

Findings

Participants who received peer support services were 20% more likely to access buprenorphine and had a slightly lower risk of overdose. Peer engagement was also associated with reduced use of high-intensity settings and increased use of lower-intensity services. However, those who stopped engaging in peer support were more likely to disengage from treatment altogether.

Program/Policy Takeaways

This study shows that ongoing engagement with peer services supports medication uptake for OUD, while discontinuation can disrupt care continuity. Providers and health systems integrating peers into clinical teams can prioritize strategies to retain peers and strengthen service delivery to ensure sustained support for individuals’ long-term recovery goals.