This Advisory from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration provides detailed guidance for taking medications for opioid use disorder (OUD) during pregnancy. It also describes barriers to such treatment, including stigma, and calls for service providers to prioritize health equity for underserved pregnant people with OUD who are in critical need of culturally responsive and empathetic care.

This is an executive summary from the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) that provides updated guidelines for treating opioid use disorder (OUD). Major revisions include: comprehensive treatment with psychosocial services should be encouraged but not required to receive medications treatment, there is no recommended time limit on medication treatment, all three forms of medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) should be made available, and naloxone should be co-prescribed along with MOUD. Recommendations for special populations, such as pregnant women with OUD, those involved in the criminal justice system, and adolescents are discussed. 

This is a report from SAMHSA that highlights strategies for behavioral health and housing providers to conduct outreach and engage with individuals experiencing homelessness, initiate use of behavioral health treatment as they wait to receive stable housing, and retain them in their recovery efforts once housed

This is a case study that describes the collaboration between a health plan and a healthcare organization in Minnesota to improve access to substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. The health plan serves those that have both Medicaid and Medicare, a population with many comorbidities. Initial findings showed that the number of inpatient admissions for SUD and mental health-related diagnoses declined among beneficiaries of the health plan, while the rate of residential SUD treatment stays increased.

This is a report from the Foundation for Opioid Response Efforts that highlights initiatives in rural areas to increase access to medications for opioid use disorder, such as training primary care providers, involving family members and social supports, redesigning hospital care, and leveraging community paramedics to engage people in treatment. 

This study examines state approaches to opioid health homes (OHH) and uses a retrospective analysis to identify facilitators and barriers to the program's implementation from the perspectives of multiple stakeholders.

The OHH model appears to have the potential to effectively address the complex needs of individuals with opioid use disorder by providing whole-person care that integrates medical care, behavioral health, and social services and supports. The experiences of Maryland, Rhode Island, and Vermont can guide the development and implementation of similar OHH initiatives in other states.

This is a report from the Foundation for Opioid Response Efforts (FORE) that presents findings from a qualitative study that explores the unique challenges, joys, and experiences of peer recovery coaches (PRCs) across the US. Through a better understanding of the PRCs’ roles, this research aims to identify support opportunities for the population, such as workforce development, the certification process, and measures of success.

This comprehensive report from the Surgeon General addresses the entire continuum of care for substance use disorder (SUD) including chapters on prevention, early intervention, treatment, and recovery. There are also chapters on the neurobiology of SUD, the healthcare system, and specific suggestions for key stakeholders. The appendices at the end of the report contain many links to helpful resources. 

This special release by the Surgeon General is an extension of the previous comprehensive report on substance use disorders, highlighting extensive opioid-related information in one document. It provides the latest data on prevalence of substance use, opioid misuse, opioid use disorders, opioid overdoses, and related harms. There are additional resources embedded throughout the report. 

This is a report from the National Council for Behavioral Health that examines the factors that influence access to medications for opioid use disorder and substance use disorder treatment, including rural location, stigma, shortage of providers, and insurance coverage. Findings of this report are summarized in this policy brief. 

This is a report from the Center for Children and Family Futures and National Association of Drug Court Professionals that provides best practices in child welfare, treatment, the courts, and child and family well-being. Within this document, eight specific standards are discussed in detail. 

This online tool provides information on broadband deserts that could identify areas of the United States that will struggle with telehealth access, such as buprenorphine treatment via telehealth.