It is no secret that we, as a nation, are experiencing extreme implications of opioid abuse. In this episode, Holly talks about a new program she is helping head, whose goal is to provide treatment to patients suffering from opioid addiction. This cutting-edge program utilizes a medication called buprenorphine to initiate treatment in the field and provide ongoing care for willing patients. While there is still much to learn, Holly discusses the research behind the foundation of this program, its successes thus far, and some learning points. The team discusses how this information is helping shape the current program and providing crucial data for future programs. This episode sheds light on current opioid abuse and overdose statistics, discussion around the steps of behavioral change, and relevant data on what treatment is proving most effective for individuals suffering from opioid addiction. 

Show Notes: 

• https://nida.nih.gov/sites/default/files/ClinicalOpiateWithdrawalScale.pdf
• https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/resources/graphics/illicit-opioid.html
• https://www.cdc.gov/stopoverdose/fentanyl/pdf/Fentanyl_Fact_Sheet_508c.pdf
• https://www.oregon.gov/oem/pages/housing-emergency-executive-orders.aspx
• https://www.cmadocs.org/newsroom/news/view/ArticleId/50024/Congress-eliminates-need-for-waiver-to-treat-opioid-use-disorder
• https://www.chcf.org/publication/buprenorphine-overview-clinicians/
• https://sphweb.bumc.bu.edu/otlt/mph-modules/sb/behavioralchangetheories/behavioralchangetheories6.html
• https://bridgetotreatment.org/addiction-treatment/ca-bridge/
• https://www.ems1.com/overdose/pilot-program-allows-portland-first-responders-to-administer-buprenorphine
• https://www.opb.org/article/2024/01/18/portlands-first-responders-will-give-immediate-opiate-treatment-following-an-overdose/
• https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline

References:

1. Wesson, D. R., & Ling, W. (2003). The Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale (COWS). J Psychoactive Drugs, 35(2), 253–9.
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, July 28). Illicit opioid graphics. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/resources/graphics/illicit-opioid.html 
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). The facts about fentanyl - CDC. The Facts About Fentanyl. https://www.cdc.gov/stopoverdose/fentanyl/pdf/Fentanyl_Fact_Sheet_508c.pdf 
4. Oregon.gov. (2023, April 10). Homelessness Emergency Executive Orders. Oregon Department of Emergency Management : Homelessness Emergency Executive Orders : State of Oregon. https://www.oregon.gov/oem/pages/housing-emergency-executive-orders.aspx 
5. California Medical Association . (2023, January 20). Congress eliminates need for waiver to treat opioid use disorder. CMADocs. https://www.cmadocs.org/newsroom/news/view/ArticleId/50024/Congress-eliminates-need-for-waiver-to-treat-opioid-use-disorder 
6. Steiger, S., & DeFries, T. (2024, February 16). Buprenorphine: An overview for clinicians. Buprenorphine: An Overview for Clinicians. https://www.chcf.org/publication/buprenorphine-overview-clinicians/ 
7. Boston University School of Public Health. (n.d.). Behavioral change models. The Transtheoretical Model (Stages of Change). https://sphweb.bumc.bu.edu/otlt/mph-modules/sb/behavioralchangetheories/behavioralchangetheories6.html 
8. CA Bridge. Bridge to Treatment. (2024, January 30). https://bridgetotreatment.org/addiction-treatment/ca-bridge/ 
9. Hallman , T. (2024, January 19). Pilot program allows Portland first responders to administer buprenorphine. EMS1. https://www.ems1.com/overdose/pilot-program-allows-portland-first-responders-to-administer-buprenorphine 
10. Wilson, C. (2024, January 18). Portland’s first responders will give immediate opiate treatment after overdoses. opb. https://www.opb.org/article/2024/01/18/portlands-first-responders-will-give-immediate-opiate-treatment-following-an-overdose/ 
11. United States Government. (n.d.). SAMHSA’s National Helpline. SAMHSA. https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline