Integrating Medication and Psychosocial Support for Addiction Recovery: A Study of Congress 60

The treatment of opioid use disorders (OUD) has historically been delivered in two contrasting formats: medication-centered interventions with minimal psychosocial support or the provision of psychosocial and spiritual support without medication access. Few models exist of high-intensity integration of medication and psychosocial support. Congress 60, a non-governmental organization in Iran, exemplifies one such integrative approach. The present study profiles the history, governance structure, clinical philosophy, and treatment methods of Congress 60 and reviews published research to date on Congress 60. Congress 60 embodies a unique theoretical rationale for time-limited medication support, a novel medicinal maintenance agent, an extended medication tapering process, and an expansive definition of recovery (including smoking cessation) – nested within a vibrant, peer-based, family-focused system of psychosocial and spiritual support. The cumulative experience of Congress 60 could inform future efforts to integrate OUD medications and psychosocial support services.