The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is committed to investing in prevention, treatment, harm reduction and recovery support services to ensure the number of Michiganders impacted by substance use and dying of overdoses continues to decline. As part of Recovery Month, MDHHS is honoring individuals in recovery from substance use disorder.

Additionally, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has declared September as Recovery Month.

“This Recovery Month we honor and support those receiving treatment for substance use disorder and continue to make more resources available to better support those in recovery,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive. “These supports focus on ensuring the well-being of individuals in recovery including health and wellness, housing and employment.”

Michigan is making the following investments and policy changes to better support long-term recovery:

– In partnership with the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, provided $2.5 million in opioid settlement dollars through grants to agencies to expand recovery housing capacity.

– Launched the Michigan Recovery Friendly Workplace program. Employers that are designated as Recovery Friendly Workplaces receive training and assistance to better support employees impacted by substance use disorder.

– Supported 17 treatment and recovery organizations through $2.7 million in opioid settlement funds to provide transportation to individuals seeking treatment, recovery or harm reduction services. More than 10,200 rides, bus passes and gas cards have been provided and resulted in individuals receiving critical services and support to aid them in their recovery.

– Supported 18 recovery community organization locations with $500,000 to better serve their communities by offering peer recovery coaching and connections to services and substance-free activities and events.

– Provided $6 million to eight Pre-paid Inpatient Health Plans for a Recovery Incentives Pilot for Medicaid and Healthy Michigan Plan enrollees. This evidence-based treatment provides motivational incentives, such as gift cards, to people living with an SUD who achieve their treatment goals.

-Invested $10 million in harm reduction programs to provide naloxone, fentanyl and xylazine test strips. More than one million naloxone kits have been distributed with more than 10,5000 uses reported.

– Removed the prior authorization to prescribe medications to treat opioid use disorder (MOUD) for Medicaid beneficiaries, allowing for a 20% increase in the last four years for the number MOUDs prescribed by primary care physicians.