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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 1 - 10 of 154

Empowering Rural Communities: Overcoming Barriers to Treatment (PDF - 687 KB KB)

This webinar highlights the unique challenges rural communities face in accessing substance use disorder treatment and presents innovative, community-driven strategies—such as mobile clinics, telehealth, and local partnerships—to expand care and build recovery‑ready environments.
Format
Webinar/Video
Audience
Medical Providers
Behavioral Health Providers
Communities
Source
Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC) Network
Year
Resource Type
PDF

2025 National Guidelines for a Behavioral Health Coordinated System of Crisis Care (PDF - 1.6 MB KB)

This new publication provides guidance and highlight effective practices for crisis care services across the country. SAMHSA has identified the essential elements for an effective crisis continuum such that everyone in the nation has a robust system that meets their needs, one that includes “someone to contact, someone to respond, and a safe place for help.”

Format
Guide
Audience
Behavioral Health Providers
Medical Providers
Other Team Members
Policymakers and Payers
Source
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Year
Resource Type
PDF

Challenges in Standardizing SUD Care Coordination (PDF - 309 KB KB)

This brief identifies key challenges to achieving standardization in substance use disorder (SUD) care coordination and offers solutions to create a reliable and fair system of care.
Format
Report/Paper/Issue Brief
Audience
Behavioral Health Providers
Other Team Members
Communities
Source
National Council for Mental Wellbeing
Year
Resource Type
PDF

Combatting Stigma with Knowledge

This blog post discusses substance use disorders and their associated stigma. It highlights how improved knowledge about substance use disorders can combat stigma.

Format
Web Page
Audience
Communities
Behavioral Health Providers
Medical Providers
Source
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Year
Resource Type
Web Page

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

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