Terminating Opioid Therapy

This provincial evidence-based guideline articulates the full range of therapeutic options for the optimal treatment of adults and youth with varying presentations of opioid use disorder. It is intended for use for all British Colombia (BC) physicians, nursing and allied health professionals, and other care providers involved in the treatment of individuals with opioid use disorder. 

The FDA Overdose Prevention Framework consists of four overarching priorities that align with the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services' Overdose Prevention Strategy to address the public health emergency as it continues to evolve.

This Advisory is based on TIP 35, Enhancing Motivation for Change in Substance Use Disorder Treatment. It addresses the spirit, application, and fundamentals of motivational interviewing (MI), discusses how practitioners can effectively employ MI in substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, and provides tools that practitioners can use to encourage and promote lasting positive outcomes for their clients.

This Advisory is based on TIP 27, Comprehensive Case Management for Substance Abuse Treatment. It surveys the underlying principles and models of case management, discusses reasons substance use disorder (SUD) treatment providers might consider implementing or expanding the use of case management, and lists some case management-related resources and tools.

This HHS Guide for Clinicians on the Appropriate Dosage Reduction or Discontinuation of Long-Term Opioid Analgesics provides advice to clinicians who are contemplating or initiating a reduction in opioid dosage or discontinuation of long-term opioid thera

The Action Collaborative on Countering the U.S. Opioid Epidemic hosted a free public webinar on opioid tapering, utilizing experts in the field who discussed current guidance for opioid tapering, how it is applied in practice, and the strength of the evidence behind it. Five panelists presented various patient case scenarios and discussed pain management challenges through patient and caregiver perspectives, in order to inform best practices and identify evidence gaps.

Teaches medical providers how to recognize and manage aberrant behaviors in patients taking prescription opioids, such as drug misuse or diversion; how to terminate opioid treatment and transition patients to alternative types of care; and how to manage disruptive or threatening patient behaviors that may arise when discontinuing opioids.

Provides information about when to taper patients off of opioids and how to taper patients off of opioids, as well as other considerations for providers.

Assists primary care providers in determining if an opioid taper is necessary for a specific patient, in performing the taper, and in providing followup and support during the taper.

Provides patients with information about why opioid treatment can no longer be provided and information about local treatment programs.