MATT’S Van Extends Hours and Locations for Fast Access to Opioid Use Treatment

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.

MATT’s Van is now available by phone or in-person Monday through Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm. The locations and hours are as follows:

•          Mondays 11:00am- 3:00pm at Beth-El Center 90 New Haven Ave. in Milford
•          Tuesdays 10:00am- 12:00pm at La Quinta Inn 400 Sargent Drive in New Haven and 1:00-5:00pm on the West Haven Green
•          Wednesdays 11:00am- 1:00pm at Saving Rock Parkade 228 Captain Thomas Blvd. in West Haven and 1:00 -5:00pm on the West Haven Green
•          Thursdays 9:00am-11:00am on the New Haven Green and 2:00-4:00pm at Fairbank Apartments at 355 Ferry St. in New Haven
•          Peer phone support at 203.494.5811 is available all other times Monday through Friday.

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.

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 and prescriptions for Suboxone (buprenorphine and naloxone) are written immediately on the Van with same-day unobserved (at-home) Suboxone inductions. The Van is parked in locations of high need and in many cases eliminates the need to schedule an appointment and travel to a clinic. Treatment is provided regardless of insurance.

According to Dr. Tara Kerner, Bridges Medical Director who initiated the mobile unit and continues to provide services, “A regimen of medication, primarily buprenorphine, combined with therapy, case management and mutual support groups has proven to be the most effective model in treating opioid use disorder.”

MATT’S Van, the first of its kind in Connecticut, has been successful, achieving a 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. Contact Bridges’ MATT’s Van (Mobile Addiction Treatment Team) at 203.494.5811.

About Bridges Healthcare

Founded in 1957, Bridges Healthcare, Inc. offers a comprehensive range of services and programs for children, families, adults and young adults that encompass clinical evaluation and treatment, medication management, primary healthcare, community support services, and emergency crisis response. For more information about Bridges’ programs and services, visit bridgesct.org.