{"id":4801,"date":"2026-04-08T20:47:36","date_gmt":"2026-04-08T20:47:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newseason.com\/blog\/?p=4801"},"modified":"2026-04-08T20:50:37","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T20:50:37","slug":"beyond-the-jama-study-how-new-season-is-redefining-retention-in-opioid-treatment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newseason.com\/blog\/2026\/04\/08\/beyond-the-jama-study-how-new-season-is-redefining-retention-in-opioid-treatment\/","title":{"rendered":"Beyond the JAMA Study: How New Season Is Redefining Retention in Opioid Treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>A newly published <a href=\"https:\/\/jamanetwork.com\/journals\/jamanetworkopen\/fullarticle\/2844211\">study in <em>JAMA Network Open<\/em><\/a> examining Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) retention rates across the U.S. delivers an important \u2013 and sobering \u2013 message: too many patients are not staying in treatment long enough to achieve the best possible outcomes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The study, which analyzed more than 500,000 treatment episodes across over 1,100 OTPs from 2019 to 2023, found that retention drops off quickly:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Just over <strong>60% of patients remain in treatment at 30 days<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Around <strong>40% at 90 days<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fewer than <strong>30% at six months<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>These findings highlight a critical challenge for our field. Retention is not just a metric; it is closely tied to reduced overdose risk, improved stability, and long-term recovery. When patients disengage early, the consequences can be life-threatening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>\u201cRetention is one of the most meaningful indicators we have in opioid use disorder treatment,\u201d <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/jim-shaheen-955b811\/\"><strong>Jim Shaheen<\/strong><\/a><strong>, CEO of New Season, said. \u201cWhen patients stay engaged, their chances of long-term recovery improve significantly, and that\u2019s what every provider should be focused on.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We agree with the study\u2019s core conclusion: <strong>there is significant opportunity to improve retention across OTPs<\/strong>, and measuring outcomes more consistently can help move the field forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>A Critical Question: What\u2019s Driving Better Outcomes?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While the study underscores the problem, it also points to something equally important: <strong>not all OTPs perform the same<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The researchers found wide variation between programs, differences that could not be explained by patient complexity alone. That means outcomes are influenced not just by who is treated, but <strong>how care is delivered<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This distinction matters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Because it suggests that improving retention is not only necessary, it is achievable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What We\u2019re Seeing at New Season<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>At <a href=\"https:\/\/www.newseason.com\/\">New Season<\/a>, we closely track patient engagement and retention because we know how essential it is to recovery. While methodologies may differ from those used in national studies, our internal data reflects a markedly different trend:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Retention Milestone<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Industry Median<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>New Season<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>30 Days<\/td><td>61%<\/td><td><strong>92%<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>90 Days<\/td><td>42%<\/td><td><strong>74%<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>6 Months<\/td><td>28%<\/td><td><strong>62%<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>These outcomes represent more than strong performance; they reflect <strong>sustained patient engagement during the most critical phases of treatment<\/strong>, when the risk of relapse and overdose is highest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThese outcomes demonstrate what\u2019s possible when care is consistent, compassionate, and designed around the patient,\u201d Shaheen said. \u201cWe believe every individual deserves the opportunity to stay in treatment long enough to truly stabilize and recover.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83d\udc49 <em>Want to learn more about how patient-centered approaches can improve retention? Explore how New Season supports individuals throughout every stage of recovery: <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.newseason.com\/addiction-resources\/beginning-treatment\/\"><em>click here<\/em><\/a><em>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why Retention Improves: A Focus on Patient-Centered Care<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Retention does not happen by chance. It is the result of intentional, consistent care delivery that meets patients where they are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While every patient\u2019s journey is different, several factors are essential to keeping individuals engaged in treatment:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Accessible, consistent care environments<\/strong> that reduce barriers to daily participation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Strong therapeutic relationships<\/strong> between patients and clinical teams<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Comprehensive support services<\/strong>, including counseling and care coordination<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Structured yet flexible treatment models<\/strong> that adapt to patient needs over time<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cPatients facing opioid use disorder are often navigating complex clinical and social challenges at the same time,\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/jessica-silvia-matthews-72996892\/\">Jessica Matthews<\/a>, the senior vice president of operations at New Season, said. \u201cImproving retention means addressing the whole person\u2014not just the diagnosis\u2014and ensuring care is accessible, supportive, and responsive to their needs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Treating opioid use disorder is complex. Many patients face co-occurring mental health conditions, unstable housing, or other social challenges. Retention improves when care models recognize and respond to that complexity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Moving the Conversation Forward<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The study and accompanying commentary call for greater transparency and standardized quality measurement across OTPs, similar to other areas of healthcare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We welcome this conversation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As the field evolves, it is important that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Measures account for the <strong>complexity of the populations served<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Data is used to <strong>support improvement, not just comparison<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>High-performing models are <strong>studied and scaled<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Most importantly, the conversation should remain focused on what matters most: <strong>helping more patients stay in treatment and achieve lasting recovery<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What This Means for the Future<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The findings in this study are an important reminder that retention remains one of the biggest challenges \u2013 and opportunities \u2013 in opioid treatment today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But they also reinforce something we see every day:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Better outcomes are possible.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By continuing to invest in patient-centered care, evidence-based practices, and continuous improvement, we can raise the standard of care across the industry and ensure more individuals get the support they need, for as long as they need it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Take the Next Step<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you or someone you know is seeking treatment for opioid use disorder, staying engaged in care can make all the difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>New Season is committed to providing accessible, evidence-based treatment that supports long-term recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.newseason.com\/treatment-center-locations\/\">Find a New Season treatment center near you<\/a> or learn more about our approach to care today.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A newly published study in JAMA Network Open examining Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) retention rates across the U.S. delivers an important \u2013 and sobering \u2013 message: too many patients are&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":4803,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[57],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v19.4 - 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