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Opioid Treatment Programs
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Description
Opioid treatment programs (OTPs) have played a crucial role in addressing the opioid epidemic by providing comprehensive care and support to individuals struggling with opioid addiction. These programs focus on the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD) and have aided in several key ways:
  1. Medication-Assisted Recovery (MAR): OTPs typically utilize medication-assisted recovery, which involves the use of medications like methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone. These medications help reduce opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms, enabling individuals to stabilize their lives, engage in treatment, and regain control over their addiction.
  2. Harm Reduction: OTPs prioritize harm reduction strategies to minimize the negative consequences of opioid and other drug use. By providing access to medications, clean needles, and overdose prevention education, these programs help reduce the risk of infectious diseases (such as HIV and hepatitis) and fatal overdoses. Harm reduction approaches also aim to decrease drug-related crime and promote public health and safety.
  3. Counseling and Behavioral Therapies: OTPs often offer counseling and behavioral therapies as part of a comprehensive treatment approach. These therapies address the psychological and social factors that contribute to addiction, help individuals develop coping skills, and promote relapse prevention. By combining medication with therapy, OTPs provide a holistic treatment experience that supports long-term recovery.
  4. Accessibility and Affordability: OTPs strive to increase accessibility to treatment by offering services in diverse settings, such as specialized clinics, community health centers, and hospitals. They also work to reduce financial barriers through various funding mechanisms, including public insurance coverage, sliding-scale fees, or state and federal assistance programs. By enhancing affordability and availability, OTPs ensure that more individuals can access the help they need.
  5. Comprehensive Care: OTPs typically provide a range of ancillary services to address the complex needs of individuals with opioid addiction. These may include medical screenings, infectious disease testing and treatment, mental health services, vocational support, housing assistance, and referrals to other social services. Comprehensive care helps individuals address underlying issues, improve their overall well-being, and create a foundation for recovery.
  6. Support and Peer Networks: OTPs often facilitate support groups and peer networks, allowing individuals to connect with others who have experienced similar challenges. Peer support offers a sense of community, reduces isolation, and provides individuals with valuable insights and encouragement throughout their recovery journey.
Overall, OTPs have aided in the opioid epidemic by providing evidence-based treatment, reducing harm, increasing access to care, and promoting comprehensive support. These programs are an integral part of the broader effort to combat opioid addiction, improve public health outcomes, and save lives.
Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of the webinar, the attendee will be able to:
  • Understand the role of OTPs in the era of the opioid overdose epidemic.
  • Understand how to improve the care of patients who are enrolled in an OTP.
  • Understand hot to implement best practices in patient care for persons enrolled in an OTP.
Claim Credits & Course Materials

How to claim your credits & download handouts for each webinar:

Under the "Course" tab (or "Content" tab):
  1. Complete the required course materials.
  2. Claim your credits by clicking the "Report Credit" or "Request Credit" button on the right above the course materials.
Speaker:

Elise Wessol, DO

Elise Wessol, DO is an addiction medicine physician practicing at Heritage Behavioral Health Center in Decatur, Illinois. She is board certified in family medicine and completed a family medicine residency at Carle Foundation Hospital in Champaign after completing medical school at AT Still University in Kirksville, Missouri. She served as a volunteer in service to America (VISTA) at a healthcare for the homeless clinic in Casper, Wyoming through AmeriCorps. She is fellowship-trained in addiction medicine and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison addiction medicine fellowship program. She now works in outpatient, inpatient, and tele-health care settings providing treatment for people with substance use disorders. She is the Illinois Society of Addiction Medicine president-elect. She is dedicated to providing education for clinicians, residents, and medical students in an effort to banish stigma, inform policy, and promote evidence-based treatment for people who suffer from the disease of addiction. 

Disclosure:
Financial Disclosure & Disclaimer: This program receives no commercial financial support.

The information in this educational activity is provided for general medical education purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the independent medical judgment of a physician relative to diagnostic and treatment options of a specific patient's medical condition. The viewpoints expressed in this CME activity are those of the authors/faculty. They do not represent an endorsement by the AOA. In no event will the AOA be liable for any decision made or action taken in reliance upon the information provided through this CME.
Summary
Availability: No future session
Expires on Dec 31, 2024
Cost: Member: $0.00
Non-Member: $35.00
Resident/Intern Member: $0.00
Student Member: $0.00
Credit Offered:
1 AOA Category 1A Credit
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