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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 0.69 MB] and Volume 2 [PDF 1.28 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 117

From Pain Relief to Risk: A Case of Suspected Opioid Overdose in a Pediatric Patient

This blog post presents a case study of a pediatric patient who died by opioid overdose and provides commentary on the case and highlights ways to improve patient safety.
Format
Other
Audience
Medical Providers
Behavioral Health Providers
Other Team Members
Families
Source
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
Year
Resource Type
PDF
File Size
40.1 KB

Overdose Prevention and Response Toolkit

This toolkit, designed to augment overdose prevention and reversal training, provides guidance on the role of opioid overdose reversal medications, including naloxone and nalmefene, and how to respond to an overdose.
Format
Toolkit
Audience
Patients
First Responders
Medical Providers
Behavioral Health Providers
Other Team Members
Source
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Year
Resource Type
PDF
File Size
1.31 MB

The Legal Landscape for Opioid Treatment Agreements

This article surveyed laws and regulations in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, as well as criminal and civil judicial decisions in which opioid treatment agreements were discussed as evidence, finding minimal evidence that they effectively reduce opioid misuse or improve patient outcomes.
Format
Report/Paper/Issue Brief
Audience
Policymakers and Payers
States
Source
The Milbank Quarterly
Year
Resource Type
Article

Academic Detailing Services - Opioid Overdose Education & Naloxone Distribution (OEND)

The VA Opioid Overdose Education & Naloxone Distribution (OEND) Program aims to reduce harm and risk of life-threatening opioid-related overdose and deaths among Veterans. This resource hub includes implementation toolkits, patient & provider guides, overdose education & naloxone distribution vidoes, and additional related VA resources.
Format
Web Page
Audience
Medical Providers
Behavioral Health Providers
Other Team Members
Patients
Families
Source
U.S Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Year
Resource Type
Web Page

Buprenorphine (MOUD) Q&A

This web page provides frequently asked questions for rules on prescribing buprenorphine and other and other medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), following 2023 policy updates.
Format
Web Page
Audience
Medical Providers
Behavioral Health Providers
Other Team Members
Source
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
Year
Resource Type
Web Page

Community Safety Topic - Opioids

This overview of opioids from the NSC includes information on opioid misuse, recognizing signs of an overdose, prescription painkillers and chronic pain, and more.

Format
Web Page
Audience
Medical Providers
Behavioral Health Providers
Other Team Members
Patients
Policymakers and Payers
First Responders
Source
National Safety Council (NSC)
Year
Resource Type
Web Page

Considerations for Buprenorphine Initiation and Maintenance Care

This virtual public meeting which explored real-world experiences and scientific evidence for buprenorphine initiation strategies, as well as medication dosing and management during continued treatment across different care settings
Format
Webinar/Video
Audience
Medical Providers
Behavioral Health Providers
Other Team Members
Source
Regan-Udall Foundation for the FDA
Year
Resource Type
Video

DEA Announces Important Change to Registration Requirement

This letter announces details on Congress's elimination of the X-waiver (DATA-Waiver) to increase buprenorphine accessibility in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, increasing accessibility of medication-assisted treatment (MAT).
Format
Fact Sheet/Brochure
Audience
Medical Providers
Behavioral Health Providers
Other Team Members
Source
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
Year
Resource Type
PDF
File Size
148 KB

MATE Act Training Requirements Questions & Answers

This web page provides frequently asked questions regarding the 2023 Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act which requires new or renewing DEA licensees to have completed a total of at least eight hours of training on opioid or other substance use disorders and the appropriate treatment of pain.
Format
Web Page
Audience
Medical Providers
Behavioral Health Providers
Other Team Members
Source
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
Year
Resource Type
Web Page