Comparing substance use treatment initiation and retention between telehealth delivered during COVID-19 and in-person treatment pre-COVID-19.

The odds of initiating SUD treatment and rate of treatment attendance over time was greater for services delivered via telehealth during COVID-19 compared to in-person pre-COVID-19. Extending telehealth services as an option for individual and group SUD treatment may promote treatment initiation and potentially higher rate of attendance over time. This study provides additional evidence for the feasibility and utility of rapidly expanding telehealth for veterans seeking outpatient substance use treatment.