The integrative Role of Social Work in Substance use Disorder Treatment: Bridging Clinical intervention and Social Justice

Substance use disorders (SUDs) represent a complex public health challenge requiring multifaceted responses that extend beyond clinical treatment to address the social determinants of health. This integrative review examines the evolving role of social work in SUD treatment, prevention, and policy, arguing that the profession’s biopsychosocial framework positions it uniquely to coordinate interdisciplinary care and advance health equity. Drawing on forty-two scholarly sources, this paper synthesizes evidence on social work’s contributions across micro, mezzo, and macro practice levels, including clinical intervention, care coordination, harm reduction advocacy, and workforce development. The review identifies key challenges including role ambiguity, workforce shortages, and the need for enhanced training in evidence-based practices. Findings suggest that social work’s integrative capacity, bridging health and social services, addressing co-occurring mental health conditions, and advocating for structural change, is essential for effective SUD response. Implications for practice, education, and policy are discussed, with particular attention to expanding the SUD-specialized social work workforce and embedding harm reduction principles across practice settings.