Massachusetts Consultation Service for Treatment of Addiction and Pain (MCSTAP), enacted by legislation from the state government and administered by the Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership, is a free consultation service to medical providers to provide guidance for those with chronic pain and those with opioid use disorder (OUD). It has a particular focus on balancing prescribing opioids for chronic pain and screening and treating for OUD along with addressing special populations.

Some of the range of topics addressed include:

• medication management related to medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), opioid, and non-opioid pain medications
• pain management strategies, including non-pharmaceutical treatment of pain
• resources in the community for people living with chronic pain and/or substance use disorder (SUD)
• issues about pregnant individuals and other special populations

The program was created in response to a call for primary care physicians to identify and treat OUD as well as responsibly prescribe opioids for chronic pain, although many of these physicians did not feel adequately prepared to address these sometimes complex patients. The free consultation service is available five days a week during normal business hours. More details on the service, contact information, and examples of consultations can be found here.