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AHRQ: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

Substance Use Tools & Resources   

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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 248

A time-tested behavioral intervention brings new momentum to substance use treatment

The article explains that contingency management, an incentive based behavioral treatment with decades of strong evidence, is gaining renewed momentum through policy changes and real world implementation to address the urgent need for effective treatment of stimulant and other substance use disorders.
Format
Report/Paper/Issue Brief
Audience
Medical Providers
Behavioral Health Providers
Policymakers and Payers
Source
American Psychological Association
Year
Resource Type
Web Page

Best Clinical Practices for Treating Opioid Use Disorder in Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period

This course reviews the historical and current context of opioid use of women during pregnancy. It compares pharmacological treatment options for OUD and discusses issues with detoxification or medically assisted withdrawal from opioids during pregnancy.

Format
Web-Based Course
Audience
Medical Providers
Other Team Members
Source
Providers Clinical Support System (PCSS)
Year
Resource Type
Web Page

Course 4: Medications for Opioid Use Disorder

As part of the Substance Use Disorder 101 Core Curriculum from PCSS, this course reviews and compares pharmacological treatment options for individuals with OUD, including methadone, buprenorphine (sublingual and injectable formulations), and naltrexone (oral and long-acting intramuscular formulations). Evidence for each medication is reviewed in detail, and studies comparing each are discussed. The purpose and goal of medications for OUD are reviewed, and different treatment models are presented. The course includes case vignettes in which medication options for OUD are considered.

Format
Web-Based Course
Audience
Medical Providers
Behavioral Health Providers
Other Team Members
Source
Providers Clinical Support System (PCSS)
Year

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

Here’s How to Support People with Both Eating and Substance Use Disorders

This blog post discusses challenges facing people with eating disorders and substance use disorders and highlights strategies and resources to support them in their struggles.
Format
Web Page
Audience
Patients
Families
Communities
Medical Providers
Source
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Year
Resource Type
Web Page

Opioid Treatment Program Directory

Provides a directory for opioid treatment programs by State.
Format
Other
Audience
States
Patients
Families
Source
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Year

Peer Recovery Support Services Policy Landscape and Analysis (PDF - 1,930 KB)

This document provides a policy landscape and analysis of Peer Recovery Support Services (PRSS), offering an overview of how states are defining, certifying, financing, and integrating the peer support workforce while also identifying policy gaps and opportunities for strengthening services.
Format
Report/Paper/Issue Brief
Audience
Policymakers and Payers
States
Source
National Council for Mental Wellbeing
Year
Resource Type
PDF

Rural-Urban Variation in Opioid Use Disorder Treatment Access Among Commercially Insured Children and Adolescents (PDF - 546 KB)

This policy brief examines how rural and urban differences affect access to opioid use disorder treatment for commercially insured children and adolescents, finding that rural youth face greater travel burdens, fewer specialized providers, and slightly lower service use.
Format
Report/Paper/Issue Brief
Audience
Medical Providers
Behavioral Health Providers
Communities
States
Policymakers and Payers
Source
University of Washington WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Year
Resource Type
PDF

Substance Use Disorder Treatment Legislation Database

This database tracks legislation related to treatment for substance use disorders, particularly opioid use disorder. 
Format
Web Page
Audience
Policymakers and Payers
Communities
States
Source
National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL)
Year
Resource Type
Web Page