Ryther, a nonprofit mental health service provider for children, teens, and young adults in Seattle, Washington, provides therapeutic services to youth struggling with mental and behavioral health issues, including substance use disorder (SUD). As part of its menu of services for SUD treatment, Ryther offers medication for addiction treatment (MAT) for those aged 12 to 25 who have opioid use disorder (OUD), making the program unique in focusing on young people. Ryther’s MAT program provides holistic treatment that addresses the physical, mental, emotional, and social challenges faced by children and young adults with SUD. Many of the participants in Ryther’s MAT program are homeless or experiencing housing instability, and the program is designed to provide these individuals with low barrier resources and support.

Ryther offers buprenorphine and naltrexone to MAT program participants and contracts with healthcare practitioners from Kaiser Permanente who prescribe and manage participants’ medication regimens and monitor their overall health throughout the treatment process. Ryther offers participants inpatient and outpatient treatment and ensures comprehensive care during both. Peer support workers and licensed mental health professionals provide participants with guidance, support, and therapy while individuals are in the MAT program. In addition to SUD treatment, the program provides participants with case management and wraparound services in order to help them access housing, education, employment, legal services, and other medical and social services. Ryther also offers family therapy and education and support services to the participants’ family members and others in their support systems.

Individuals can participate in the MAT program through self-referrals, community referrals, or referrals from community organizations. Ryther’s partnership with YouthCare, a non-profit organization that provides services to homeless youth in Seattle, connects individuals to MAT services when appropriate.

For more information on Ryther’s MAT program, please visit https://www.ryther.org/medication-assisted-treatment.