Medication Assisted Treatment In Recovery Housing
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is one of many viable recovery tools. Research shows MAT with other recovery support services improves engagement and outcomes. Individuals who live or want to live in halfway houses, recovery homes, or other residences for individuals in recovery are sometimes excluded because of their participation in Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) for Opioid Use Disorder. Recovery residence operators cannot legally deny admission solely based on an applicant's current use of physician-prescribed medications, however they may decline individuals who use certain medications because the recovery residence does not provide pertinent staff or services. In those cases, referrals should be made to alternative facilities when available. The Fair Housing Act (FHA) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies to residences such as recovery houses because they fall under the FHA’s definition of “dwelling.” Individuals in MAT are protected by the FHA & ADA.
The Americans with Disabilities Act and the Opioid Crisis: Combating Discrimination Against People in Treatment or Recovery
This guidance document provides information about how the ADA can protect individuals with OUD from discrimination—an important part of combating the opioid epidemic across American communities. While this document focuses on individuals with OUD, the legal principles discussed also apply to individuals with other types of substance use disorders.