Bridges’ Mobile Addiction Treatment Team service, known as MATT’s Van has extended its hours and locations to offer individuals experiencing opioid use dependency fast access to treatment and a better chance for recovery.

The new hours and locations are as follows:

MATT’s Van is designed to reduce the number of opioid deaths in the Greater New Haven area by improving access to Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) for opioid dependency. Staffed by prescriber and a recovery coach, the van parks at strategic locations in the community during the week, where it offers immediate engagement and induction on to Suboxone for anyone who needs it.

The mobile unit and team address several barriers to clinic-based care for individuals who are on the verge or ready to engage in treatment. Clients are seen immediately by a recovery coach and prescriber, prescriptions for Suboxone are written immediately on van, with same day unobserved Suboxone inductions. The van is parked in locations of high need, in many cases eliminating the need to schedule an appointment and travel to a clinic. Treatment is provided regardless of insurance.

The ability to offer unobserved inductions allows the client more flexibility and choice in their treatment. Rapid referrals to an agency in the client’s area are made, and contacts with the client maintained over three months. Everything is documented in our electronic health record.

MATT’S Van, the first of its kind in CT has been very successful, achieving a remarkable 75% kept intake appointment rate and a 72% retention in treatment rate. Funding is provided by the CT Dept. of Mental Health and Addiction Services and the CT Realtors Foundation.