Women facing drug use disorder (DUD) or opioid use disorder (OUD) may find increased access to treatment when enrolled in Medicaid alongside other government assistance programs such as childcare, employment services, and SNAP benefits. A recent study conducted by Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health has shed light on the positive impact of these combined social safety net supports on the receipt of drug treatment and medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) among women.
Published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, the research highlights the significance of overlapping safety net services in addressing treatment gaps for women with substance use disorders. The study’s senior author, Silvia Martins, emphasized the critical role of Medicaid in facilitating access to drug treatment for women. However, the findings also underscored the importance of complementary services like childcare and employment support in reducing structural barriers to care.
Key findings from the study revealed that women with past-year OUD who received both Medicaid and other forms of government assistance were more likely to report MOUD receipt compared to those receiving neither. Additionally, the study found that fewer than one in six women with DUD reported receiving any past-year drug treatment.
The research, based on data from the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, analyzed responses from 2,784 women with DUD and 458 women with OUD. The analysis considered factors such as age, race/ethnicity, education level, employment status, marital status, and number of children. Despite the positive impact of government assistance on treatment receipt, the study highlighted a persistent gender gap in treatment access, with only 14% of women with OUD receiving MOUD compared to 23% of men.
The researchers emphasized the need for policies that integrate treatment referrals with access to essential support services. They suggested that targeted interventions linking treatment with support services such as housing, transportation, vocational training, and childcare could significantly increase treatment uptake and address structural barriers that disproportionately affect women.
For more information, the study titled “Social safety net programs: the relationship with drug treatment among women” can be accessed in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. The research was conducted by Sam D. Gardner et al and published in 2025.
Provided by Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, this research highlights the importance of social safety net programs in improving treatment access for women facing drug use disorder. Further research is needed to explore the effectiveness of integrated interventions that combine treatment with essential support services to address the unique needs of women in accessing drug treatment.
