U.S. flag

An official website of the Department of Health & Human Services

AHRQ: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

Substance Use Tools & Resources   

Read the Guide

This collection of tools and resources is for providers, staff, and patients who offer or use services to address substance use, and other interested stakeholders. This collection was originally established following an environmental scan on implementing medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder (OUD) in rural primary care. (See PDFs of Volume 1 (PDF - 609 KB) and Volume 2 (PDF - 1.3 MB) of that scan). Items have been continuously added to this collection since then, and the collection has expanded to cover substance use more broadly, rather than just MAT for OUD.

Displaying 1 - 10 of 142

Advisory: Addressing Cannabis Use Disorder in Primary Care Settings—A Lifespan Approach (PDF - 2.2 MB)

The advisory explains that cannabis use disorder is increasingly common across all ages and urges primary care providers to routinely screen, educate, and tailor evidence based interventions to patients’ developmental stage to reduce risks and improve outcomes.
Format
Advisory
Audience
Medical Providers
Behavioral Health Providers
Source
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Year
Resource Type
PDF

Alcohol Withdrawal Assessments: Quick References for Nurses (PDF - 2.6 MB)

This resource helps nurses recognize, assess, and monitor alcohol withdrawal syndrome by comparing the use of the CIWA-Ar and MINDS assessment tools, highlighting key symptoms, severity indicators, and clinical actions for early intervention and safe treatment.
Format
Guide
Audience
Medical Providers
Behavioral Health Providers
Other Team Members
Source
Providers Clinical Support System Medications for Alcohol Use Disorder (PCSS-MAUD)
Year
Resource Type
PDF

From Midlife to Later Life: Addressing the Intersection of Aging, Substance Use, and Mental Health in Men

This blog post highlights how men in midlife and later life face increased risks of depression, anxiety, and substance use due to aging-related changes and life transitions, and emphasizes the importance of early screening, integrated care, and seeking help because recovery is possible at any age.
Format
Web Page
Audience
Medical Providers
Behavioral Health Providers
Patients
Source
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Year
Resource Type
Web Page

Healthy Starts: Postpartum OUD Care Transitions for Mother and Infant (Case Study) (PDF - 781 KB)

This case study highlights an innovative program and evidence based practices that support coordinated postpartum care for mothers with opioid use disorder to improve continuity of care and health outcomes for both mothers and infants during a high risk period.
Format
Report/Paper/Issue Brief
Audience
Medical Providers
Behavioral Health Providers
Other Team Members
Source
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Year
Resource Type
PDF

Overdose Risk Assessment Tool: A Guide for Loved Ones and Allies (PDF - 595 KB)

This tool is a 15‑question self‑assessment designed to help people who use drugs (PWUD) identify factors that increase their risk of overdose and to support conversations with loved ones or allies about safety.
Format
Instrument/Protocol
Audience
Patients
Families
Communities
Source
National Council for Mental Wellbeing
Year
Resource Type
PDF

Psychosis and Substance Use in Adolescents and Young Adults (PDF - 3.1 MB)

This webinar provides a clinical overview of psychosis in adolescents and young adults and explains how substance use influences its onset, diagnosis, and management with practical strategies for distinguishing substance induced symptoms from primary psychiatric disorders.
Format
Webinar/Video
Audience
Medical Providers
Behavioral Health Providers
Source
Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC)
Year
Resource Type
PDF

Substance Use Screenings & Treatment (PDF - 2.4 MB)

This document provides comprehensive guidelines on screening, treating, and billing for substance use disorders (SUDs).

Format
Guide
Audience
Behavioral Health Providers
Medical Providers
Other Team Members
Source
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Year
Resource Type
PDF

SUD 101 Core Curriculum

The modules in the curriculum provide an overview of evidence-based practices in the prevention, identification, and treatment of substance use disorders and co-occurring medical and psychiatric conditions for a variety of populations.

Format
Curriculum
Audience
Behavioral Health Providers
Medical Providers
Other Team Members
Source
Providers Clinical Support System (PCSS)
Year
Resource Type
Web Page

Treatment of Severe and Complicated Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome (PDF - 964 KB)

This resource provides healthcare professionals with practical guidance on identifying, assessing, and managing severe and complicated alcohol withdrawal syndrome, including risk factors, monitoring, pharmacologic treatment, and escalation of care to prevent serious complications such as seizures and delirium tremens.
Format
Fact Sheet/Brochure
Audience
Medical Providers
Behavioral Health Providers
Other Team Members
Source
Providers Clinical Support System Medications for Alcohol Use Disorder (PCSS-MAUD)
Year
Resource Type
PDF