Addiction Treatment Forum reports on substance use news of interest to opioid treatment programs and patients in medication-assisted treatment.
Two Studies Describe Differences in OTP Responses to COVID-19: What Can We Learn?
In these pages of Addiction Treatment Forum we feature two studies describing experiences at opioid treatment programs (OTPs) during COVID-19. The first study, from Bronx/Montefiore OTPs, reports favorable outcomes and more-flexible patient care, compared to pre-COVID. The second study, from RAND Drug Policy Research Center, is based on telephone surveys of caregivers at 20 OTPs…
Continue Reading Two Studies Describe Differences in OTP Responses to COVID-19: What Can We Learn?
FDA Approves Higher Dosage of Naloxone Nasal Spray
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a higher dose naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray product to treat opioid overdose. The newly approved product delivers 8 milligrams (mg) of naloxone into the nasal cavity. The FDA had previously approved 2 mg and 4 mg naloxone nasal spray products. Naloxone is a medicine that can be…
Continue Reading FDA Approves Higher Dosage of Naloxone Nasal Spray
OTP Clinicians’ Responses to Telemedicine and Changes in Methadone Service Delivery During COVID-19: A Qualitative Study
During the COVID-19 pandemic, opioid treatment programs (OTPs) have been given some flexibility in dispensing methadone and using telemedicine and other patient services, such as audio-only telephone visits for individual counseling. Favorable outcomes and better patient care were seen in a Bronx OTP study, covered separately in these pages, but a study of views and…
AT Forum Newsletter – Recent Articles
Reimagining Patient Care: Bronx OTPs Share Lessons Learned During COVID-19
When COVID-19 forced Bronx opioid treatment programs (OTPs) to change the way they operated, the OTPs made dramatic changes and saw better outcomes in just ten weeks. In an article published in March in the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, the authors summarize their experiences and share what they learned. Background The Bronx has been…
Continue Reading Reimagining Patient Care: Bronx OTPs Share Lessons Learned During COVID-19
Community Medical Services Reaches Out To Harm Reduction
Community Medical Services (CMS), which opened two new opioid treatment programs (OTPs) in Wisconsin and Arizona recently, is the first program in the country to open “Opioid Treatment on Demand” centers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Reaching out to harm reduction agencies is a key focus of CMS’ work, making sure clients…
Continue Reading Community Medical Services Reaches Out To Harm Reduction
Flaws In Idea Of Expanding Access To Methadone Via FQHCs And Chain Pharmacy
A recent study hypothesized that distribution of methadone in Ohio via Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs0and pharmacies left out so many realities facing methadone treatment in the United States. The study, based on “geospatial” research, looked specifically at how close patients are via zip code to opioid treatment programs (OTPs), FQHCs, and pharmacies. Among these…
Continue Reading Flaws In Idea Of Expanding Access To Methadone Via FQHCs And Chain Pharmacy
New OTP in Tennessee Opens
The Talbott Legacy Centers (TLC) announced the opening of a new opioid treatment program (OTP) in Maryville, Tennessee in April. With service delivery starting April 7, the program will include comprehensive, nonresidential treatment services. Benjamin M. Roe, M.D. is the medical director. Many residents of Blount County, where the OTP is located, already know Dr.…
X-waiver Changes Progressing Through Congress Amid Some Concerns From OTPs And Patients
Three bills going through Congress would change the way buprenorphine treatment is delivered, mainly eliminating the x-waiver, the training required for the special Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) license allowing the dispensing of the medication for opioid use disorders (OUDs). TREATS Act The Telehealth Response for E-prescribing Addiction Therapy Services (TREATS) Act, introduced in February by…
Mass. Sheriff And R.I. OTP Work Together To Provide Treatment During Pandemic
The Hampden County (Massachusetts) Sheriff is helping men and women with opioid use disorder (OUD) receive treatment at CODAC Behavioral Health Care, the largest outpatient OUD treatment provider in Rhode Island. Through the Sheriff’s Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) program, CODAC is providing methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone – the three medications approved by the Food and…
Continue Reading Mass. Sheriff And R.I. OTP Work Together To Provide Treatment During Pandemic
