Improve Links to Treatment for People who Experience a Non-Lethal Overdoses or Naloxone Revivals
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As first responders and others in communities are increasingly using naloxone (often Narcan) to reverse overdoses and prevent deaths, there is often a missed opportunity to connect the people who were revived from the overdose with the appropriate Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT). Typically, after receiving a lifesaving dose of naloxone, patients are released with only information and numbers to call if they’re ready to start their recovery. Regardless of whether a person survived due to administration of naloxone, or whether they were taken to an ER or hospital or if they survived the overdose without either of those, a comprehensive strategy should have multiple ways that help that person get into treatment.
Background
- One of the best opportunities to prescribe maintenance medication occurs during the hours or days after the overdose reversal or hospitalization for an overdose
- Maintenance medication is the only approach known to cut the overdose mortality rate by 50-70%[1]
- In one clinical trial, those offered immediate medication treatment were:
- Twice as likely as those who were simply offered treatment referrals to still be in treatment a month later[2]
- Reduced their illegal opioid use from an average of five days a week to an average of just one[3]
Programs
Emergency Medicine Initiative
Tools & Resources
Scorecard Building
Potential Objective Details
Potential Measures and Data Sources
Potential Actions and Partners
Resources to Investigate
More RTI on Links to Treatment for Those that Experience a Non-lethal Overdose
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