More than 1,350 people attended the American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence (AATOD) meeting held in Las Vegas April 21-25 at the Venetian/Palazzo Hotel. Among the more than 60 attendees from other countries was a large delegation from Vietnam, reporting on that nation’s successful expansion of methadone treatment. Under the theme “Recovery for Patients, … [Read more...] about AATOD Conference a Resounding Success
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Some OTPs Discharge, Others Taper for Illicit Benzodiazepine Use
Benzodiazepine use and abuse by patients on methadone is a pressing concern for opioid treatment programs (OTPs) because of potentially dangerous drug interactions, especially during induction, so it was a natural selection for a “hot-topic” meeting at the American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence (AATOD) conference in April. Ron Jackson, MSW, LICSW, moderated … [Read more...] about Some OTPs Discharge, Others Taper for Illicit Benzodiazepine Use
Innovative Massachusetts Federally Qualified Health Center Expands OTP Services
For 3 years, Lifeline, an opioid treatment program (OTP) of Stanley Street Treatment and Resources (SSTAR) has been providing methadone treatment at its site in the South End of Fall River, Massachusetts. In 1990 SSTAR became a federally qualified health center (FQHC) providing methadone, primary care, and behavioral health care to their OTP patients. SSTAR was the first OTP in … [Read more...] about Innovative Massachusetts Federally Qualified Health Center Expands OTP Services
CODA Credits Its Research Department for Winning SAMHSA Award
Officials at CODA, one of the three opioid treatment programs (OTPS) to win the 2012 Science and Service Awards sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), firmly believe the program’s commitment to research not only led to the prestigious award, but also is essential to improving outcomes for their patients. About 10 years ago CODA … [Read more...] about CODA Credits Its Research Department for Winning SAMHSA Award
A Call for OTPs to Step up Rapid HIV Testing
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and their Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC) network, along with the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), are urging substance abuse treatment programs to step up rapid testing for HIV during the time patients are in treatment programs. Patients in substance abuse treatment are at high risk of … [Read more...] about A Call for OTPs to Step up Rapid HIV Testing