Addiction Treatment Forum

Addiction Treatment Forum reports on substance use news of interest to opioid treatment programs and patients in medication-assisted treatment.

2023

COMPA meeting focus on take-homes and more

by

At the June 21 Coalition of Medication-Assisted Treatment Providers and Advocates (COMPA) symposium, opoid treatment providers (OTPs) from across New York learned how the state is facilitating easier access to methadone, much of which is due to flexibilities which originated in the COVID-19 pandemic. These flexibilities include more take-home medications, which Chinazo … [Read more...] about COMPA meeting focus on take-homes and more

CODAC leadership team grows as RI OTP provider expands roles

by

CODAC Behavioral Healthcare, Inc. (CODAC) has announced that it has added two executive-level staff to its experienced group of professionals.  Dustin Alvanas has rejoined CODAC as Chief Operating Officer. Alvanas will be responsible for the strategic operation of CODAC programming, and will supervise the clinical and operational aspects of the organization. He was also … [Read more...] about CODAC leadership team grows as RI OTP provider expands roles

Everything you need to know about the M-OTAA

by

Below is an eloquent comment on the most recent proposal to “modernize” methadonetreatment, obtained by AT FORUM. Dated May 26, it is by Arlin Silberman, D.O., F.A.O.A.A.M. (afellow of the American Osteopathic Academy of Addiction Medicine) and reviews “TheModernizing Opioid Treatment Access Act (M-OTAA), H.R.1359/S. 644.” In summary, the Modernizing Opioid Treatment Access … [Read more...] about Everything you need to know about the M-OTAA

What Really Matters is Retention in Treatment (JAMA Letters)

by

When evaluating a medication, researchers sometimes overlook a key factor: retention.  But how meaningful are other data, if patients drop out of treatment? A study recently published in JAMA Letters used U.S. prescription data to evaluate recent trends in buprenorphine initiation and retention. A team of … [Read more...] about What Really Matters is Retention in Treatment (JAMA Letters)

SAMHSA and FDA reduce counseling recommendations for buprenorphine

by

Receiving buprenorphine should not be contingent upon receivingcounseling as well, according to a “Dear Colleague” letter issued May 9 bythe Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Substance Abuse andMental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). In the letter, states that“an often-cited barrier to prescribing buprenorphine for the treatment of OUD[opioid use disorder] is … [Read more...] about SAMHSA and FDA reduce counseling recommendations for buprenorphine