Topic: Treatment

The Vital Role of Community Health Workers in Behavioral Health and Opioid Use Disorder Care

As the opioid crisis continues to impact communities across the country, there is a growing need to strengthen the network of support around individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD). One critical role in this support system is the Community Health Worker (CHW). CHWs bridge gaps between healthcare, social and human service systems and individuals in need, offering culturally appropriate education, resources, and advocacy.

Tobacco Use and Smoking Cessation Among People with Substance Use Disorders: A Summary of the State of the Science and New Evidence from Nevada

Over 80% of people with substance use disorders (SUDs), including opioid use disorder (OUD), smoke cigarettes. While smoking prevalence has decreased in the general population, it remains stubbornly high among people with opioid use disorder (OUD) and other substance use disorders (SUDs). Evidence suggests that conventional smoking cessation treatments are not as successful for people with SUDs as they are in the general population. This training will present the most recent epidemiology on smoking and use of cessation aids among people with SUDs, summarize the state of the science concerning smoking cessation treatment in this population, and present new data from Nevada on a smoking harm minimization intervention using e-cigarettes.

Brief: Tobacco and Opioids

The brief explores the connection between tobacco use and opioid addiction, highlighting how smoking may increase the risk of opioid misuse and how addressing tobacco dependence can improve substance use recovery outcomes. It emphasizes the need for integrated treatment approaches in substance use disorder programs, including tobacco cessation interventions, to enhance recovery success. The document also outlines policy and healthcare strategies to support dual cessation efforts, such as insurance coverage, clinical screening, staff training, and tobacco-free campus policies.

How HIPAA Allows Doctors to Respond to the Opioid Crisis

This resource explains how HIPAA allows healthcare professionals to share health information with a patient’s loved ones during emergencies or dangerous situations, such as an opioid overdose, when doing so is in the patient’s best interest. It clarifies that health providers can disclose information to family and caregivers without patient consent if the patient is incapacitated or poses a serious and imminent threat to their health. Additionally, it outlines limitations on sharing information for patients who have decision-making capacity and recognizes state laws regarding personal representatives who have authority over a patient’s health information.

How HIPAA Helps Family and Friends Stay Connected with Loved Ones Who Have a Substance Use Disorder, including Opioid Abuse, or a Mental or Behavioral Health Condition 

This resource explains how HIPAA allows healthcare providers to share necessary health information with family and friends of individuals with substance use disorders (including opioid abuse) or mental health conditions when it is in the patient’s best interest. It outlines how providers can notify loved ones in emergencies, share relevant treatment details for caregiving purposes, and grant full access to personal representatives who have legal decision-making authority.

When can I obtain treatment information about my loved one? (decision chart)

The HIPAA Decision Tree for Adult Patients is a guide that helps determine when a healthcare provider can share treatment information about an adult patient under HIPAA regulations, based on factors such as the patient’s decision-making ability, the requester’s role in their care, and potential risks to the patient.

Fentanyl and Opioid Use in Behavioral Health: Addressing Impacts on Severe Mental Illness and Effective Treatment Strategies

This online video explores the profound challenges and strategies for addressing co-occurring severe mental illness (SMI) and opioid use. Led by Mark H. Broadhead, MD, this session delves into the physiological and psychological impacts of fentanyl use, its effects on medication efficacy, and the complexities of treatment. Participants will gain insights into evidence-based strategies for integrated care, contingency management, and the importance of connectivity in therapeutic interventions.

Federal Guidelines for Opioid Treatment Programs (2024)

This manual provides guidelines for operating an opioid treatment program. It covers patient-centered care planning, assessment, admission, and monitoring; medication administration and use; medical and clinical provisions and practices; certification and accreditation; and the importance of practitioner judgment in providing care.

FindTreatment.gov

The confidential and anonymous resource for persons seeking treatment for mental and substance use disorders in the United States and its territories. Available in Spanish.

Listening Session: Treatment for Individuals with Opioid Use Disorder

This insightful listening session is designed to enhance your understanding of treatment approaches for individuals with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). This listening session brings together experts and practitioners to discuss effective, evidence-based strategies for improving outcomes for people who use drugs (PWUD).

Improving African American Retention in Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Treatment

This 2-hour self-paced course from the African American Behavioral Health Center of Excellence is for mental health and substance use disorder practitioners and primary care physicians who seek to provide culturally responsive care. Its focus is on helping the workforce understand the presence and impact of implicit racial bias in health care and mental health treatment.

Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD): The Basics

This online video course provides a foundational understanding of Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD), exploring their benefits and applications in treating opioid addiction. Participants will learn about specific medications such as Buprenorphine, Methadone, and Naltrexone, along with strategies to engage clients in treatment discussions and empower informed decision-making. Presented by Krista Hales, DBH LADC-S, this training is ideal for professionals seeking to enhance their knowledge and skills in opioid addiction treatment.

Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder Before, During, and After Pregnancy

The CDC page outlines the importance of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder (OUD) during pregnancy, emphasizing methadone and buprenorphine as effective options to improve maternal and neonatal outcomes. It also highlights the need for comprehensive care, including mental health support, to reduce relapse risks and manage withdrawal symptoms in newborns.

Community Response and Best Practices for Opioid Antagonists

Learning Objectives: 

By the end of this training people will know:

 The history of overdose prevention and opioid antagonist distribution for community members, including available formulations of antagonists

State of the research on opioid antagonist distribution, utilization, and outcome in the community

Evidence-based practices for overdose response and opioid antagonist administration