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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 11 - 20 of 251

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

Should I Start a Medication to Help With My Drinking? (PDF - 319.47 KB)

This resource explains medications for alcohol use disorder, how they work, and how patients can use them safely along with support from healthcare providers to reduce or stop drinking.
Format
Fact Sheet/Brochure
Audience
Patients
Medical Providers
Source
Providers Clinical Support System Medications for Alcohol Use Disorder (PCSS-MAUD)
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

Substance Use Screenings & Treatment (PDF - 3.3 MB)

This document provides comprehensive guidelines on screening, treating, and billing for substance use disorders (SUDs).

Format
Guide
Audience
Behavioral Health Providers
Medical Providers
Other Team Members
Source
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Year
Resource Type
PDF

SUD 101 Core Curriculum

The modules in the curriculum provide an overview of evidence-based practices in the prevention, identification, and treatment of substance use disorders and co-occurring medical and psychiatric conditions for a variety of populations.

Format
Curriculum
Audience
Behavioral Health Providers
Medical Providers
Other Team Members
Source
Providers Clinical Support System (PCSS)
Year
Resource Type
Web Page

The Role of State Alcohol and Drug Agencies (PDF - 1290 KB)

This updated brief reviews the important role that State alcohol and drug agencies play in managing the publicly funded prevention, treatment, and recovery system. The brief notes that these agencies operate under different State statutes and regulations and vary in size, along with agency placement within government.
Format
Report/Paper/Issue Brief
Audience
States
Policymakers and Payers
Source
National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Agency Directors (NASADAD)
Year
Resource Type
PDF

Understanding ASAM Criteria: A Foundational Overview and 4th Edition Highlights

This webinar provides an overview of the ASAM Criteria and its 2023 fourth edition updates, emphasizing a patient centered evidence based framework for assessing and treating substance use disorders with practical guidance on screening, level of care decisions, and continuity of care across settings including corrections and reentry.
Format
Webinar/Video
Audience
Medical Providers
Behavioral Health Providers
Other Team Members
Source
Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC) Network
Year
Resource Type
Video

Why Menopause Matters in Substance Use Disorder Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery

The blog explains how hormonal and life changes during menopause can increase women’s risk of substance use and relapse, highlighting the need for more awareness and tailored prevention, treatment, and recovery care.
Format
Web Page
Audience
Medical Providers
Behavioral Health Providers
Source
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Year
Resource Type
Web Page