Chaplain Support Boosts Mental Health at Buprenorphine Clinic

Innovations in primary care address emotional distress and recovery needs of patients with opioid use disorder

Mar. 24, 2026 at 8:09am

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A team-based buprenorphine clinic within an academic family medicine residency practice in Indianapolis has incorporated a clinically trained chaplain into patient care, providing a psychologically safe space for conversation, supporting patients in telling their stories, and working with them to identify personal strengths and resources that may support recovery. Clinic staff report that collaboration between medical and spiritual care providers has produced more detailed patient histories and shared learning within the care team, with eight patients achieving at least 12 months of sobriety as of October 2025.

Why it matters

Medication treatment with buprenorphine is widely used for opioid use disorder, but many people early in recovery experience emotional distress, social isolation, and difficulty finding meaning or rebuilding relationships. Incorporating a chaplain into the care team can address these critical mental health and spiritual needs to support long-term recovery.

The details

The weekly half-day clinic began seeing patients in June 2022 and, by October 2025, had conducted 236 visits with 48 unique patients. Care is delivered by family medicine clinicians, nursing staff, and a chaplain trained in recovery coaching. During visits, the chaplain provides a psychologically safe space for conversation, supports patients in telling their stories, and works with them to identify "recovery capital," or personal strengths and resources that may support recovery. Chaplain encounters also focus on how patients interpret their experiences and on emotional or spiritual distress related to substance use.

  • The weekly half-day clinic began seeing patients in June 2022.
  • As of October 2025, the clinic had conducted 236 visits with 48 unique patients.

The players

April D. Newton

A PT, DPT, PhD from the School of Medicine at Indiana University in Indianapolis.

Seth Hunter

A clinician who will be featured in an accompanying episode of the Annals of Family Medicine podcast.

Dustin Hite

A chaplain trained in recovery coaching who is part of the care team at the buprenorphine clinic.

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What they’re saying

“Leveraging the Role of Chaplaincy to Enhance Care for Patients With Opioid Use Disorder”

— April D. Newton, PT, DPT, PhD

What’s next

The accompanying episode of the Annals of Family Medicine podcast with Dr. Seth Hunter and Chaplain Dustin Hite will be available on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at 10am ET.

The takeaway

Incorporating a clinically trained chaplain into the care team at a buprenorphine clinic can address the critical mental health and spiritual needs of patients with opioid use disorder, supporting their long-term recovery through a holistic, team-based approach.