In August, BACS opened the first Contingency Management (CM) and Medically Assisted Treatment (MAT) programs in Alameda County working out of our Housing Fast at the Henry Robinson Center. This pilot program is working to reduce substance use for community members experiencing other complexities and co-morbidities – like mental health challenges, homelessness, physical health conditions, and more. BACS is doing “whatever it takes” to uplift the people we serve, no matter their unique challenges.

Contingency Management incentivizes and motivates recovery for people who are using stimulants. This evidence-based treatment promotes positive behavior with affirmations, support, and financial incentives for achieving and maintaining specific goals (like negative drug tests). CM is the only treatment that has proven and meaningful outcomes for individuals living with stimulant use disorder, including reduction or cessation of drug use and longer retention in treatment.

MAT is a treatment for opioid use disorder combining the use of medications (like methadone and Suboxone) with counseling and behavioral treatments. MAT is used to decrease withdrawal symptoms and cravings, to reduce the chances of relapse, and help people stay in a treatment program. If relapse does happen, people on buprenorphine MAT have lower rates of fatal overdose.

Throughout the pilot of these two innovative evidence-based Harm-Reduction interventions, BACS will be collecting data and reporting to a learning collaborative to hone best practices and eventually replicating the program. This important program is provided in partnership with Health Care Services Agency (HCSA), Healthcare for the Homeless, Cardea Health, and the Bridge Clinic at Highland Hospital, with funding from the Centers for Health Care Strategies grant.