Toward Improved Opportunities for Recovery: Learning from Alberta’s Injectable Opioid Agonist Therapy Pilot Program

"Recovery oriented refers to a person-centred approach that builds on the strengths and resiliency of individuals, families and communities to achieve recovery and improved health, wellness, and quality of life for those with or at risk of addictions and or mental health issues." (Alberta’s Ministry off Health, 2022)

The current project addresses the mental health and addiction recovery-oriented needs of Albertans with severe opioid use disorder (OUD) who may not have been successful with treatment or other addiction therapies such as oral opioid agonist therapy (OAT) and other appropriate empirically supported services. The project will identify opportunities to further promote recovery by evaluating the effectiveness of Alberta’s pilot iOAT program. The generalizability of the project’s findings will be determined by carefully assessing relevant characteristics of the pilot program’s clients and estimating the size and regional distribution of the provincial population facing similar challenges. This project will positively impact Albertans with mental health and addiction recovery-oriented needs by informing the design and delivery of future programs. 

CARMHA is an international leader in the development of recovery-oriented policies and practices and integrates applied researchers, clinicians, and people with lived and living experience. CARMHA’s people have decades of experience reducing harms and promoting wellness among people who experience addiction, mental illness, homelessness, involvement with the criminal justice system and social exclusion.