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Reducing the Risk of Opioid Overuse and Misuse

Drug overdoses impact families, communities, workplaces, and the economy. Together, we can bring awareness, resources, and expertise to better coordinate efforts to prevent opioid overdoses and deaths. Treating opioid use disorder with medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) increases the chance of recovery success, patients may also benefit from counseling and psychosocial support.1

Provider Tips:      

  • Use the state Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) database prior to initiating opioid therapy and periodically, ranging from every prescription to every 3 months.
  • Involve patient in decisions to initiate or continue opioid use, only prescribe opioids when medically necessary, in the lowest effective dose, for the shortest duration necessary.
  • Follow established guidelines regarding co-prescribing of Naloxone to patients at risk of overdose.
  • Educate patients on opioid safety and risk associated with long-term and use of multiple opioids from different providers.
  • Inform patients with an OUD of the risks and benefits of pharmacotherapy treatment.
  • Discuss with patient nonopioid and nonpharmacologic alternative therapies for pain management; NSAIDs, physical therapy, acupuncture, massage therapy, and corticosteroids when clinically appropriate.
  • Encourage coordination of care between physical and behavioral health providers, including transitions in care.   
    Offer mutual help like peer recovery support, harm reduction, 12-step fellowships (AA, NA, etc.)
  • Educate patients and caregivers about local naloxone access and good Samaritan laws.
  • Provide timely submission of claims with correct medication name, dosage, frequency, and days covered.

See the Behavioral Health At-A-Glance Provider Tookkit for more information.

Measures:

  • Risk of Continued Opioid Use (COU)
  • Use of Opioids at High Dosage (HDO)
  • Pharmacotherapy for Opioid Use Disorder (POD)
  • Use of Opioids from Multiple Providers (UOP)

 

Additional Support

National Institute of Drug Abuse
www.drugabuse.gov

SAMHSA Find Help & Treatment
www.samhsa.gov 
1-800-662-4357 

The American Society of Addiction Medicine
www.asam.org

Providers Clinical Support System (PCSS)
https://pcssnow.org/

 

1Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder. (Retrieved 5/31/2024). https://www.cdc.gov/overdose-prevention/treatment/opioid-use disorder.html