Substance Use Disorder

Rural Pregnant Women with Opioid Addiction Find a Doctor, Not a Judge

Maternal Health

Candy Stockton, MD, saw the chance to make a big difference in her rural Northern California community: treating pregnant women with opioid addiction to help two generations at once.

The CCC Warmline: Substance Use Consultation for Providers Is Just a Phone Call Away

September 30, 2016

Carolyn Chu, Ron Goldschmidt

With primary care providers managing the substance use needs of more patients, confidential expert advice often is essential. Now UCSF offers this consultation service to clinicians by phone at no charge.

How Will the Nation’s First Organized Delivery System for Drug Treatment Services in Medicaid Succeed?

Behavioral Health, Medi-Cal

The California Senate Office of Research points out some of the hurdles that must be overcome in the implementation of Medi-Cal's new approach to drug treatment services.

Remedy for the Rural Opioid Epidemic: Leaders Discuss Medication-Assisted Addiction Treatment in Primary Care

Experts from across California talked about how to make medication-assisted treatment of opioid addiction more readily available in rural areas, where the need is great.

Across the Tracks: To End Homelessness, See the Whole Person

Sandra R. Hernández

Medi-Cal, Homelessness & Health Care

The rising rate of homelessness is a call to action. It is time to make health care work for all Californians.

Changing Course: The Role of Health Plans in Curbing the Opioid Epidemic

Donna Laverdiere, Margarita Pereyda, Jason Silva, Margaret Tatar

Health plans can play a key role in changing the course of the opioid overuse epidemic. California plan leaders share a successful four-part strategy and make recommendations for action.

Rescue Drug Can Save Lives If More Lay People Learn How to Administer It

A San Joaquin County paramedic explains what we can expect if powerful emergency medication becomes readily available to nonmedical people.

Recovery Within Reach: Medication-Assisted Treatment of Opioid Addiction Comes to Primary Care

Barbara Masters, Mary Rainwater

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid addiction can speed recovery and save lives. What does it take for clinics to incorporate MAT programs into primary care settings?

Don’t Let Zeal for Stopping Opioid Epidemic Create a New Class of Refugee

January 14, 2016

CHCF's director of High-Value Care argues that the pendulum must not swing too far in the health care system's battle against misuse of prescription painkillers.

Striking a Balance: Safety-Net Leaders Explore Solutions to the Prescription Painkiller Epidemic

Kristene Cristobal, Cristobal Consulting

Overuse of prescription opioids has led to high rates of addiction and even death. Health care leaders discussed how to manage the use of high-dose opioids in the safety net.

Educating Prescribers About Naloxone to Prevent Opioid Deaths

A pilot project aims to prevent prescription painkiller overdoses by educating prescribers about naloxone — a drug that counters the effects of opioids and saves lives.