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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 31 - 40 of 160

Community Member Engagement Resource Center

This resource center offers practical guidance to help Medicaid stakeholders, including community-based organizations, engage community members in policy and program design development, especially as a means of increasing health equity.
Format
Web Page
Audience
Communities
Policymakers and Payers
States
Medical Providers
Behavioral Health Providers
Source
Center for Healthcare Strategies (CHCS)
Year
Resource Type
Web Page

Developing a Database of SUD Treatment Needs (PDF - 1586 KB)

A 2020 study examined the feasibility of using substance use disorder (SUD) patient intake assessment data as source of information for treatment planning. Patients are often assessed at the beginning of SUD treatment as part of the treatment planning process and to determine the most appropriate level of care (LOC). This report and issue brief describe the data received from four states that collected LOC assessment data and the process for linking the LOC assessment data with SUD utilization data.
Format
Report/Paper/Issue Brief
Audience
States
Policymakers and Payers
Source
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE)
Year
Resource Type
PDF

Engagement and Retention of Nonabstinent Patients in Substance Use Treatment (PDF - 1473 KB)

This document was developed to provide SUD treatment programs and providers with guidance and support to: 1) address the complexities of patient nonabstinence during treatment; 2) reduce administrative discharges; and 3) implement strategies focused on lowering barriers to care to improve engagement and retention of nonabstinent patients in the continuum of care.
Format
Guide
Audience
Behavioral Health Providers
Other Team Members
Communities
Source
American Society of Addiction Medicine
Year
Resource Type
PDF

Financing the Future of Integrated Care: Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (PDF - 580 KB)

This brief is part of a series that aims to accelerate the ease of implementation of evidence-based integrated care interventions across a myriad of organization settings. It provides practical guidance on MOUD financing strategies.
Format
Report/Paper/Issue Brief
Audience
Behavioral Health Providers
Medical Providers
Other Team Members
Communities
Source
National Council for Mental Wellbeing
Year
Resource Type
PDF

Gaps in Research and Care for Adults with a Disability Who Have Substance Use Disorders: Treatment (PDF - 562 KB)

It can be difficult for disabled people to get medical help for substance use disorders (SUDs) because treatment is sometimes inaccessible, providers may lack awareness of the needs and experiences of disabled people, and the treatment may not be effective. This exploratory study begins with a synthesis of evidence on facilitators and barriers to SUD treatment among disabled adults. It then describes what is known about the effectiveness of SUD treatments among disabled adults and describe research gaps.
Format
Report/Paper/Issue Brief
Audience
Behavioral Health Providers
Other Team Members
Families
Communities
Graduate Education
Source
Urban Institute
Year
Resource Type
PDF

Guide to Equity in Behavioral Health Care (PDF - 293 KB)

The guide discusses existing behavioral healthcare services in the United States and highlights barriers to care, stigma, and discrimination that exist. It also notes the overdose epidemic and services in place to combat it.
Format
Guide
Audience
Policymakers and Payers
States
Behavioral Health Providers
Source
Urban Institute
Year
Resource Type
PDF

Guide to Equity in Pharmacy Services (PDF - 223 KB)

This guide equips advocates and changemakers with key information about pharmacy services, including an overview of the system’s inequities, and highlights the policy and accountability levers that can advance equity.
Format
Guide
Audience
Policymakers and Payers
Communities
Medical Providers
Source
Urban Institute
Year
Resource Type
PDF

Guide to Equity in the Veterans Health Administration (PDF - 157 KB)

This guide equips advocates with key information about the Veterans Health Administration, including an overview of the system’s inequities, and highlights the policy and accountability levers that can advance equity.
Format
Guide
Audience
Behavioral Health Providers
Policymakers and Payers
Medical Providers
Source
Urban Institute
Year
Resource Type
PDF

Health-Related Social Needs in Medicaid: State Checklist for Screening (PDF - 252 KB)

This tool, developed by the Center for Health Care Strategies, outlines decision points for developing or improving policies related to screening for health-related social needs and provides state examples to illustrate implementation.
Format
Instrument/Protocol
Audience
Behavioral Health Providers
Medical Providers
States
Communities
Source
Center for Health Care Strategies
Year
Resource Type
PDF