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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 41 - 50 of 1004

Evolving Overdose Response (PDF - 1771 KB KB)

These webinar slideshelp programs update their overdose response protocols when sedatives are in their local drug supply. Contents include xylazine basics, responding to an overdose with sedatives on board, different forms of naloxone, compassionate comebacks, and other tools programs may consider when responding to overdoses.
Format
Other
Audience
Communities
States
First Responders
Families
Source
Thomas Jefferson University
Year
Resource Type
PDF

Expanding Access to Substance Use Disorder Treatment: Innovations Across the Justice and Reentry Continuum (PDF - 644 KB KB)

This issue brief discusses state opioid use disorder intiatives tailored to the needs of justice-involved indidviduals. It highlights ways in which the State Opioid Response (SOR) grant can be used to help expand access to evidence-based treatment across the correctional and reentry continuum.
Format
Report/Paper/Issue Brief
Audience
Medical Providers
Behavioral Health Providers
Communities
States
Source
National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Agency Directors (NASADAD)
Year
Resource Type
PDF

Fentanyl Crisis and Narcan Overdose Prevention Guide for Families and Communities

This blog post discusses the trends and dangers of illicit fentanyl use. It highlights strategies to help recognize the signs of a fentanyl overdose and important steps to handling a suspected overdose.
Link
https://rehabnet.com/fentanyl-crisis-narcan-overdose-prevention/
Format
Web Page
Audience
Families
Communities
Source
RehabNet
Year
Resource Type
Web Page

Fentanyl Statistics 2025: Up-to-Date Facts on Abuse and Overdose

This article utilizes the most up-to-date statistics available to provide an accurate picture of the fentanyl crisis in 2024. For some statistics, the most up-to-date information will be cut off in 2021.
Format
Web Page
Audience
Policymakers and Payers
States
Communities
Source
Addiction Group
Year
Resource Type
Web Page

Filling the Gaps in SUD Care Coordination (PDF - 309 KB KB)

This blog post highlights key challenges facing care coordination in substance use disorder care
Format
Web Page
Audience
Behavioral Health Providers
Other Team Members
Communities
Source
National Council for Mental Wellbeing
Year
Resource Type
Web Page

From Crisis to Care: Addressing Addiction, Mental Health, and Homelessness through Health and Supportive Services

This new report discusses five approaches that take care of people and help create healthier, safer communities. It highlights treatment opportunities, community-based crisis response programs, supportive housing programs, criminal penalties for drug use, and long-term solutions for public safety.
Format
Report/Paper/Issue Brief
Audience
Communities
Policymakers and Payers
States
Source
Drug Policy Alliance
Year
Resource Type
PDF

Guide to Long-acting Medications (PDF - 3.1 MB KB)

The guide urges all community mental health and substance use treatment clinicians to provide long-acting medications as a first-line treatment option.
Format
Guide
Audience
Medical Providers
Behavioral Health Providers
Communities
Families
Source
National Council for Mental Wellbeing
Year
Resource Type
PDF

Guidelines for Implementing Medications for Opioid Use Disorder Treatment in State Prisons (PDF - 1.3 MB KB)

The Guidelines address the implementation of medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) in state prisons and practical information about medications, service delivery models, regulatory requirements, staff training, and cultural issues that may affect the uptake and integration of MOUD.
Format
Report/Paper/Issue Brief
Audience
Medical Providers
Behavioral Health Providers
Other Team Members
Communities
Source
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Year
Resource Type
PDF