Oregon’s Addiction Treatment Gap
Oregon is facing one of the most serious addiction crises in the country. According to the Oregon Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission, about one in five Oregonians has a substance use disorder, and the state consistently ranks among the last in the nation for access to treatment. A statewide gap analysis from the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health found a 49% gap between the substance use disorder services Oregonians need and what is available. Among OHP members, less than half of those with a substance use disorder have been diagnosed or treated.
Behind those numbers are real people: a parent who can’t afford to miss a shift, a young adult without a car, a neighbor living outside with no phone to call for an appointment.
Barriers to Substance Use Disorder Treatment
- Limited capacity – Most providers lack the capacity to meet demand. When someone is finally ready to ask for help, a waitlist can be the difference between starting recovery and losing patient engagement.
- Transportation and technology – The state’s gap analysis names both as persistent barriers. Getting across town for appointments or navigating an online intake form is hard without reliable transit, a phone, or internet access.
- Coverage and paperwork – Insurance pre-authorizations and complex enrollment steps can stall care when it’s needed most.
- Equity gaps – Oregon lacks culturally relevant services, language interpretation, and a workforce that reflects the communities it serves.
- Stigma – Shame keeps many people from reaching out as they think addiction is a moral failing rather than a health condition.
How Fora Health Expands Access to Addiction Treatment
Since 1974, Fora Health, formerly De Paul Treatment Centers, has helped more than 60,000 people change their relationship with drugs and alcohol. We believe substance use and mental health treatment are healthcare, and that access to healthcare should never depend on income. That’s why we design care around the realities our patients face:
- Walk-in access. Our Withdrawal Management (detox) program accepts walk-ins seven days a week. Outpatient enrollment also offers same-day walk-in hours.
- A full continuum of care. Withdrawal management, medication for addiction treatment (MAT), residential, and outpatient services under one organization means fewer handoffs and fewer chances for someone to fall through the cracks.
- Peer mentors. People with lived experience of recovery walk alongside our patients, building trust from day one.
- Trauma-informed, evidence-based care. Our treatment meets people where they are, with dignity and respect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Fora Health accept the Oregon Health Plan (OHP)?
Yes. More than 90% of Fora Health patients use the Oregon Health Plan, Oregon’s Medicaid program, to pay for treatment, and our Withdrawal Management program admits OHP members on weekends.
Can I walk in for detox or addiction treatment?
Yes. Fora Health’s Withdrawal Management (detox) program accepts walk-ins seven days a week, and outpatient enrollment offers same-day walk-in hours.
What addiction treatment services does Fora Health offer?
Fora Health offers a full continuum of substance use disorder care: withdrawal management, medication for addiction treatment (MAT), residential treatment, and outpatient services, supported by peer mentors with lived experience of recovery.
How do I get help for drug or alcohol addiction in Oregon?
Recovery begins with a call. Contact Fora Health at (503) 535-1151.
Why Medicaid Access to Treatment Matters
When over 90% of our patients rely on Medicaid, every policy decision, funding change, and community partnership directly affects whether someone gets care. We envision communities where every person affected by substance use disorder has access to the support needed to emerge from this disease, where healthcare systems become advocates for hope, and where stigma ceases to exist.
Closing Oregon’s treatment gap will take all of us. Here’s how you can help:
- Get help: Recovery begins with a call. Reach us at (503) 535-1151.
- Give: Support treatment for underserved Oregonians at forahealth.org/donation.
- Share: Pass this post along to help break the stigma of addiction and let people know help is here.