Everything you need to know, one click away
It’s important to have the the most up-to-date, accurate information about opioid addiction and it’s treatment. Whether you’re a patient, family member, friend, or practitioner, there are resources you can use to be better informed and better prepared:
Information on Medication-Assisted Treatment
Opioid Addiction Treatment: A Guide for Patients, Families and Friends by American Society of Addictive Medicine (ASAM). This document provides facts about treatment from the ASAM, the leading medical society for addiction treatment.
Decisions in Recovery: Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). This decisions support tool helps anyone looking for help or information on recovery from opioid use disorder.
The Facts About Buprenorphine for Treatment of Opioid Addiction by SAMHSA. Buprenorphine is one type of medication used for treatment of opioid addiction. Perhaps your doctor or substance abuse treatment provider has recommended it for you, or perhaps you already take it. This booklet gives you the facts you need to know.
Methadone Treatment for Pregnant Women by SAMHSA. This brochure helps pregnant women living with opioid use disorder seek methadone maintenance treatment, and explains how it works. It also highlights women’s issues, such as breastfeeding, infant withdrawal, birth control, and child protection services.
Rights for Individuals on Medication-Assisted Treatment by SAMHSA
Information on Coping and Dealing with Stigma & Discrimination
List of Patient and Family Support Groups by ASAM. This is not a complete list but if you are interested in attending meetings, here are some options.
Coping with the Stigma of Addiction by Dr. David Rosenbloom, Ph.D.
Information on Insurance & Medi-Cal
Steps to Medi-Cal by California Department of Health Care Services. Medi-Cal is California’s Medicaid program. This is a public health insurance program that provides free or low cost medical services for children and adults with limited income and resources.
Understanding Opioid Addiction
Facts and Figures about Opioid Addiction by American Society of Addictive Medicine (ASAM). This fact sheet provides a two-page overview of the statistics and facts surrounding the opioid addiction and overdose epidemic.
What to Do If Your Adult Friend or Loved One Has a Problem with Drugs by the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Get the answers you need on how to help and where to start.
Information on Medication-Assisted Treatment
Opioid Addiction Treatment: A Guide for Patients, Families and Friends by ASAM. This document provides facts about treatment from the ASAM, the leading medical society for addiction treatment.
Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Addiction: Facts for Families and Friends by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Misconceptions about Opioid Maintenance Treatment by the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Information on Coping and Dealing with Stigma & Discrimination
List of Patient and Family Support Groups by ASAM. This is not a complete list but if you are interested in attending meetings, here are some options.
Information on Insurance & Medi-Cal
Steps to Medi-Cal by California Department of Health Care Services. Medi-Cal is California’s Medicaid program. This is a public health insurance program that provides free or low cost medical services for children and adults with limited income and resources.
Understanding Opioid Addiction
Facts and Figures about Opioid Addiction by American Society of Addictive Medicine (ASAM). This fact sheet provides a two-page overview of the statistics and facts surrounding the opioid addiction and overdose epidemic.
Treating Opioid Addiction as a Chronic Disease by ASAM. This reference document is a two-page summary of opioid addiction and available treatment options.
Opioids by National Institute on Drug Abuse. Online resource provides data and publications on opioids and opioid addiction.
Understanding Opioids: From Addiction to Recovery by Harvard Medical School.
Chasing The Dragon: The Life of An Opiate Addict by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). A short documentary of real people addicted to prescription drugs and heroin. In their own words, they describe the horrors of addiction and how their addiction changes their lives forever.
Information on Medication-Assisted Treatment
Medication-Assisted Treatment by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Forms, training materials, data, and other resources on MAT.
Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder Pocket Guide by SAMHSA. This guide is for physicians using medication-assisted treatment for patients with opioid use disorder. It discusses various types of approved medications, screening and assessment tools, and best practices for patient care.
Medication-Assisted Treatment Improves Outcomes for Patients With Opioid Use Disorder: Fact Sheet by The PEW Charitable Trusts.
Effective Treatment for Opioid Addiction by NIDA. Facts and data on opioid treatment.
Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use Disorders: Overview of the Evidence by the Alcohol & Drug Abuse Institute at the University of Washington.
Methadone by SAMHSA. Facts and research data on methadone as treatment for opioid addiction.
Buprenorphine by SAMHSA. Facts and research data on buprenorphine as treatment for opioid addiction.
Treating Opioid Use Disorder During Pregnancy by NIDA. This publication outlines risks, benefits, and considerations for opioid misuse during pregnancy and treatment options.
Information for Advocacy
Access to Medications Talking Points by ASAM. Use these talking points to help guide your discussions with policymakers about access to opioid addiction medications.
Advancing Access to Addiction Medications Report by ASAM. This two-part report details insurance barriers to accessing opioid addiction medications and summarizes the academic literature on these medications’ clinical and cost-effectiveness.
Confronting an Epidemic: The Case for Eliminating Barriers to Medication Assisted Treatment of Heroin and Opioid Addiction by Legal Action Center. The Legal Action Center summarizes the clinical and cost-effectiveness of the three FDA-approved medications for opioid addiction and what insurance and legal barriers prevent doctors from prescribing them and patients from accessing them.
Public Policy Statement on Pharmacological Therapies for Opioid Use Disorder by ASAM.
