The treatment of addiction is widely misunderstood, and the disease remains clouded in stigma and shame. Addiction to opioids, including prescription painkillers and heroin, is at epidemic levels in the US, yet only 10% of those who need help with treatment for substance abuse can access it. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) — treatment that combines medication with behavioral health services — has been proven to save lives and increase recovery rates.

A CHCF report, Recovery Within Reach: Medication-Assisted Treatment of Opioid Addiction Comes to Primary Care, explores several options for expanding access to MAT (specifically buprenorphine) for those addicted to opioids and provides recommendations for California providers.

In this webinar, the authors review the 10 elements common to successful primary care buprenorphine programs, and review pearls from model practices. In addition, an addiction pharmacist from the California Department of Health Care Services discusses approaches to expand access to treatment in the rural north, where opioid overdose deaths are the highest, and treatment options are lacking.

Hear from:

• James Gasper, PharmD, BCPP, psychiatric and substance use disorder pharmacist, California Department of Health Care Services
• Willard Hunter, MD, medical director, Open Door Community Health Centers
• Barbara Masters, MA, independent consultant
• Gary Pace, MD, MPH, chief medical officer, Alexander Valley Healthcare
• Mary Rainwater, LCSW, independent consultant

A recording of the event and the presentation slides are available below. Also available is a compilation of questions and answers on buprenorphine treatment, as well as an annotated bibliography compiled by pain specialist Howard Kornfeld, MD.