Improving Access to Evidence-Based Medical Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder: Strategies to Address Key Barriers within the Treatment System

Source: B.K. Madras, N.J.Ahmad, J. Wen, J. Scharfstein and the Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Working Group of the, Action Collaborative on Countering the U.S. Opioid Epidemic

This discussion paper from researchers affiliated with the National Academy of Medicine identifies strategies to increase access to evidence-based treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) in health care settings. Effective OUD treatment includes access to medications such as methadone, buprenorphine, or extended-release naltrexone as well as opportunities to receive additional services such as behavioral counseling, case management, and peer support. This paper describes strategies to address 9 key barriers to accessing these evidence-based treatments: stigma; inadequate clinical training; lack of addiction medicine specialists;, lack of integration of medications to treat OUD in health care practices and settings; regulatory, statutory and data sharing restrictions; and financial barriers.

Funding Source: National Academy of Medicine

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Improving Access to Evidence-Based Medical Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder: Strategies to Address Key Barriers within the Treatment System

A report describing strategies to address 9 key barriers to providing evidence-based treatment for OUD in health care settings