Not every therapist has real experience with substance use disorders — finding one who does matters for getting therapy that actually helps.
Where to look: Psychology Today’s therapist directory and similar directories let you filter specifically by “addiction” as a specialty; SAMHSA’s treatment locator also includes therapy-focused options; your MOUD prescriber may have referral relationships with therapists they trust.
Questions worth asking before your first session:
- What’s your specific experience with opioid use disorder (not just substance use disorders generally)?
- Are you comfortable coordinating with my MOUD prescriber?
- Do you view a return to use as a treatment failure, or as something to work through together?
A red flag worth knowing: A therapist who is skeptical of or discourages medication for opioid use disorder is working against the strongest mortality evidence in the field — this is worth addressing directly or finding someone else.
Cost and access: Sliding-scale community mental health centers, insurance-covered options, and some peer support programs can reduce cost barriers — [link to cost estimator tool] for a broader picture.
Medically reviewed by [pending]. Source: SAMHSA guidance on finding addiction-informed therapy.