In July this year, North Carolina became the 17th US state to implement mobile clinics providing substance use treatments. Mobile clinics are utilized to help reach underserved populations and address unmet treatment needs. Although this type of service faces certain challenges and barriers, it can provide many benefits to people seeking medications and treatments for substance use issues.
What mobile clinics are in the substance use treatment context
In substance use treatment, mobile clinics are easily accessible services, used to provide medications, counseling, and other treatment needs for individuals within their home community. Being mobile, they can move around an area, unlike traditional brick-and-mortar clinics, and can be available in rural areas or places with unmet treatment needs.[1]
Evidence and models of mobile substance use disorder (SUD) clinics
In the United States, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) first approved mobile clinics in 1988. However, mobile clinics faced issues with the theft and misuse of methadone, halting their use. In 2021, the DEA again approved mobile clinics due to the growing opioid crisis.[2][3]
According to a 2025 report by the US Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS), 54 mobile clinics were operating across 17 states as of September 2024. These services have provided thousands of Americans with necessary substance use disorder treatments. [1][3]
North Carolina's mobile SUD strategy
Like many states in the U.S., North Carolina has a large and underserved portion of its population that struggles with substance use disorders. Based on a 2024 report compiled by the North Carolina (NC) DHHS, 1 in 6 people aged 12 and above (over 1,465,000 people) have a substance use disorder (SUD), and 1 in 40 people aged 12 and above (over 230,000 people) have an opioid use disorder (OUD).[4]
Addiction carries many risks to a community, including the risk of accidental overdose and death. Data compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that, between April 2023 and April 2024, over 3000 people in NC were reported to have died from a drug-related overdose.[5]
Director of the NC DHHS Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services, Kelly Crosbie, estimates that less than half of those with a SUD receive any treatment, and an even smaller percentage receive OUD medications.[6] A lack of access to addiction treatment can contribute to this problem, especially in rural parts of the state where public transportation is unavailable.
Overview of the program
Mobile clinics for substance abuse often include a range of treatment options for substance use disorder, including screening, assessment, and help accessing substance use treatments and resources. Three medications are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for OUD treatment: buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone. Buprenorphine and naltrexone can be prescribed by a physician, while methadone can only be provided by Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs), which can also provide buprenorphine and naltrexone.[1][6]
OTPs are services licensed to provide medications, counseling, and other support for people with OUDs. However, there are currently 96 OTPs in NC, operating in only 55 of the state’s 100 counties. As such, there are big gaps across the state, meaning that people in need of treatment cannot access OTPs or must travel long distances to reach them. [6]
Common barriers to receiving OTP services include:[2][6]
- Stigma and judgment.
- Transportation issues.
- Time constraints.
- Lack of treatment providers.
- Lack of treatment access.
In particular, people without homes, living in rural areas, staying in shelters, or incarcerated, may face the biggest issues with treatment access. Mobile clinics aim to meet these gaps, providing necessary OUD treatment to these individuals within their communities.
Implementation
North Carolina has a number of active mobile clinics operating in different regions of the state. Some focus on primary medical care, and others specialize in mental health or substance use treatment. NC’s first mobile clinic for opioid abuse was implemented in Raleigh, NC, in July 2025, operated by Morse Clinics. In its first two months, this clinic reportedly provided medications to 84 people. In the upcoming months, Morse Clinics intends to implement two more mobile clinics in the state, in Granville and Franklin. [6]
New Season, a national SUD service provider, implemented a mobile clinic in Greensboro in September 2025, which operates from the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church. [6]
In the upcoming months, there are ten more mobile clinics planned to be operating in the state, six of which are funded by a $3.75 million donation received by NC DHHS, given to Vaya Health. [6]
Services offered
Services offered by mobile clinics in NC may vary depending on the skill level and qualifications of staff available. The services and specializations offered also vary from clinic to clinic, and not all clinics will address substance use disorders. Of those who do, many focus on treating people with opioid use disorder who require medications like methadone or suboxone. These sites aim to provide the same level of care as brick-and-mortar OTP clinics, including: [1][2][3][6]
- Medications, including buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone, to support OUD treatment and recovery.
- Counseling.
- Drug screens.
- Case management.
- Disease testing and treatment.
- Wound care.
- Vocational counseling and housing support.
- Overdose prevention and harm reduction strategies, including naloxone.
Outcomes and advantages
Potential outcomes and advantages of these mobile clinics in NC include: [2][3][6]
- Improving treatment access: Increasing the number of people who can access necessary OUD medications. Many clinics will provide free or reduced-fee treatments to people who are uninsured or underinsured.
- Reducing stigma: People who otherwise struggle to attend OTPs due to stigma can more easily seek help without fear. Also, these mobile clinics act as a billboard across the state, demonstrating to members of the community the need for this type of treatment.
- Addressing unmet treatment needs: Bridging the gaps in treatment location and access, and reaching underserved areas.
- Reducing drug-related harm: Helping to prevent overdose and severe consequences common in untreated opioid abuse.
- Providing person-centered care: Delivering interventions that address psychosocial and physical health aspects that may otherwise go unrecognized.
- Establishing trust: Clinicians and staff working in mobile clinics may find it easier to develop therapeutic relationships within the community, as they can enter various environments to provide unbiased care, after which they leave.
- Referrals and sign-posting: Staff can recognize other unmet needs and recommend or refer individuals to services that can assist with aspects of their well-being.
Barriers and challenges
Potential barriers and challenges of mobile clinics in NC could include: [2][3]
- Lack of education and awareness of the available services: This can be addressed by ensuring that community members know how to access this service, including when and where clinics operate.
- Limited access in certain areas: Currently, mobile clinics are operating only in larger cities, such as Greensboro and Raleigh, which already have OTP clinics. To reach underserved communities, this service will need to cover additional places within the state, but this might be difficult due to funding or regulatory requirements.
- Stigma and community resistance: Negative perceptions, attitudes, and responses from community members and stakeholders could prevent mobile clinics from operating in certain areas. Stigmas associated with addiction and addiction treatment options can also contribute to community resistance and backlash.
- Costs associated & availability of funding: The high cost of staff, vehicle purchase and maintenance, and equipment can impact the implementation and continuation of these services. Many mobile clinics operating in NC are funded by grants, which depend on the availability and allocation of state and federal dollars, and could be restricted if government priorities and policies change.
- Logistical and practical constraints: Vehicle size can limit the number of staff utilized within each mobile clinic, affect navigating and parking within urban areas, and impact privacy when providing services.
Final thoughts
New mobile clinics in North Carolina can help to address the needs of people facing substance use issues. This service is new within the state, and the potential challenges and benefits may take time to clearly recognize, fine-tune, and develop.
As these services grow, confidence among service users and providers is likely to increase, while also addressing the stigma among communities. With increased access to OUD treatments, organizations implementing mobile clinics hope to reduce the number of people who experience substance use issues and drug-related overdoses.
