Opioid

A July 2020 survey of more than a thousand physicians who provided treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) showed that many used telehealth for the first time during the pandemic, when regulations were loosened. More than half of respondents, 54 percent, found it more effective than expected. A significant majority – 85 percent – were in favor of the temporary telehealth flexibility being permanently extended.

The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Association of Counties, and State Justice Institute (SJI) are co-sponsoring the Reaching Rural: Advancing Collaborative Solutions initiative. BJA, CDC, and SJI are supporting this initiative as part of an ongoing interagency partnership to strengthen public safety and public health collaboration under BJA’s Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Program.

On March 16, 2020, to facilitate access to methadone treatment from opioid treatment programs (OTPs) during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration allowed states to request blanket exceptions to provide up to 28 and 14 days of take-home methadone for stable and less stable patients, respectively; this signaled a shift in practice because most patients historically receive methadone daily from OTPs.

The first part of this presentation examined and presented medical/physiological aspects of SUD and an overview of the impact of SUD on a small but vulnerable population. Dr. Parker then provided an overview of recent substance abuse prevention and intervention applications within American Indian and Alaska Native communities. She described the trends regarding opioid overdose among American Indian and Alaska Native communities during the global pandemic and discussed opportunities for addressing opioid overdose prevention in the future.

The opioid settlement is a significant opportunity to improve substance use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery. By attending to the evidence base and leveraging other funding sources, we can transform our behavioral health system to work better for people with substance use disorder. The Steadman Group related their experience in facilitating opioid settlement governance so you can optimize your settlement spending!

The goal of treatment for opioid addiction or opioid use disorder (OUD) is remission of the disorder leading to lasting recovery. Recovery is a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live self-directed lives, and strive to reach their full potential.1 This Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) reviews the use of the three Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medications used to treat OUD—methadone, naltrexone, and buprenorphine—and the other strategies and services needed to support recovery for people with OUD.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration-funded Opioid Response Network (ORN) initiative has launched the Stand Against Stigma (SAS) Challenge. This is an opportunity for those in the healthcare industry to address and dispel stigma related to individuals with substance use disorders through easy, daily activity.

Describes the work of 26 2018-2021 Rural Health Opioid Program (RHOP) grantees in addressing the opioid epidemic through community-based consortiums. Highlights each project's achievements and identifies common themes of program impact.

Through the Opioid Risk Prevention Partnership, SCMA is sharing resources to help physicians and clinical care teams facilitate conversations with patients who have acute pain, chronic pain, and addiction. The Partnership aims to support medical providers’ efforts to have conversations with patients about pain, and the appropriate use of alternatives to opioids in pain management.

Xylazine is a drug used in veterinary medicine as an animal sedative with muscle relaxant and analgesic properties