In California, the publicly funded substance use disorder treatment system sits outside both the specialty mental health and mild-to-moderate mental health services systems, resulting in inconsistent and fragmented care.

Researchers at Health Management Associates (HMA), a national health care consulting firm, conducted a landscape analysis of California’s public substance use disorder (SUD) system with support from CHCF.

They found that the delivery of programs and services across the state vary because of differences in geography (rural, suburban, and urban) as well as county participation in the Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System.

Key barriers to people with SUD accessing care include:

• Lack of access to needed housing and residential services
• Stigma against people with SUD
• Lack of access to food, transportation, and other social drivers of health

Key opportunities for reaching people who need SUD treatment but do not access care include:

• Expanding education about medications for opioid use and alcohol use disorders
• Ensuring all prescribers and behavioral health providers can bill for services
• Integrating systems to reduce navigational challenges
• Improving opportunities to share information

Substance Use Disorder in California — a Focused Landscape Analysis was produced and written by the following team at HMA:

Charles Robbins, MBA
Marc Avery, MD
Serene Olin, PhD
Emma Clark, PhD
Rachel Johnson-Yates, MA
Brittany Doughty, MPH
Brittany Thompson, MPH