PO - Improve Access to Quality Treatment Programs

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Examples of a Description for this Objective

Improve Access to Treatment of Addicted People and Enable Recovery

Evidence
Opioid addiction can develop from repeated exposure to opioids. Left untreated, opioid addiction commonly results in serious psychosocial problems, medical problems and death from accidental overdose.

  • Since 1997, the number of Americans seeking treatment for addiction to opioid painkillers increased by 900 percent The sharp increase in the prevalence of opioid addiction has been associated with:
  • A parallel increase in opioid-related overdose deaths and use of heroin
  • Rising rates of Neonatal abstinence syndrome, HIV and hepatitis C infections
  • Decreased life expectancy in white women
  • Decreased workforce readiness
  • Decreased availability of parenting in the affected child-raising demographic


Treatment of opioid addiction is similar to the management of other chronic conditions and involves a bio-psycho-social approach. Unfortunately, the need for opioid addiction treatment is largely unmet. In regions of the country where the epidemic is most severe, there are waiting lists for treatment, especially with buprenorphine. Evidence-based treatment for opioid addiction often involves the use of buprenorphine and methadone, which are currently underutilized. Despite strong evidence supporting the use of buprenorphine and methadone, and evidence that more than 5 million Americans are suffering from opioid addiction, fewer than 1 million are receiving these treatments. A variety of barriers must be removed to allow adequate access to appropriate care.

APHA Recommendations
In combination with counseling, medication-assisted treatment for opioid addiction in opioid treatment programs can reduce prescription overdose deaths. Best practice guidelines, available through SAMHSA, include individually designed programs with detoxification and medically supervised withdrawal and maintenance medications. Also recommended are psychosocial counseling and treatment for any co-occurring disorders, vocational and rehabilitation services, and case management services.

Recommendations from the National Governor's Association
- Change payment policies to expand access to evidence-based MAT (methodone, buprenorphine, naltrexone) and Recovery Services
- Increase access to naloxone
- Expand and strengthen the workforce and infrastructure for providing evidence-based MAT and recovery services
- Create new linkages to evidence-based MAT and recovery services
- Consider authorizing and providing support to syringe service programs
- Reduce stigma by changing the public's understanding of substance use disorder

To learn more:
John Hopkins School of Public Health-
[1]
APHA-
[2]
National Governor's Association-
[3]
 

Examples of a From-To Gap

Current State Desired State
Emergency departments do not have a standard process for making referrals to treatment. All emergency departments have established connections to a treatment center and a standard procedure to make referrals.
Social workers and medical staff know little about the local options for recovery and do not refer those who have been identified with a SUD to a treatment program. Social workers and medical staff are well trained in the options for substance abuse recovery and easily referring people to SUD treatment programs.
Those in recovery know little about and are hesitant to use online programs or telehealth portals to support their recovery. Those in recovery are knowledgable on and using online programs or telehealth portals to support their recovery.
-transportation -transportation
   


 

Examples of Current Activities