Serious Mental Illness and Co-occurring Substance Use Disorders

According to a new publication from the Treatment Advocacy Center, an estimated one in four people with a serious mental illness also face a substance use disorder. This puts them at significantly higher risk of homelessness, involvement with the justice system and physical comorbidities. It also much more difficult for an individual with these co-occurring illnesses to get treatment for both disorders. Only about 12.7% of individuals facing multiple disorders reported receiving any treatment. Many individuals’ first exposure to treatment is during incarceration, and even then, it is not likely that the treatment will address both illnesses. One suggestion for policy solutions is the better integration of the mental health and substance use treatment systems and an increase in the availability of integrated dual-disorder treatment programs. 

CDC Webpage Answers FAQs about Substance Use Disorders and COVID-19

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a webpage that answers common questions posed by people who use drugs or have substance use disorders. There is also information available for medical professionals that have patients who use drugs or have substance use disorders. The page also provides links to information about interim syringe services programs and a list of COVID-19 resources for organizations working with people who use drugs or have a substance use disorder.

Managing Chronic Pain Safely

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that approximately 20% of Americans suffer from chronic pain. Chronic pain is often managed by prescription opioids, though opioids can be addictive if not monitored properly. To ensure the correct usage of opioids, regular visits with a healthcare provider and the provision of high quality of care is important. Also, overdose prevention strategies, such as co-prescribing naloxone to the individual or their family members (or anyone who can administer the naloxone if needed), can help prevent overdoses. Early intervention and refraining from prescribing high dosage opioids for long periods are key to preventing the development of an opioid use disorder.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Using ODMAP to Guide Response to the Opioid Epidemic

2 p.m. EDT, Tuesday, April 13

The Overdose Detection Mapping Application Program (ODMAP) is a web-based tool that provides real-time suspected overdose surveillance data across jurisdictions. This webinar will highlight the value of ODMAP and showcase how two jurisdictions are using this tool to identify areas with a high overdose concentration in their community. This helps inform public safety and harm reduction interventions.

To register click here.

Opioid Treatment Ecosystem Community of Practice – Harm Reduction 2: Decriminalizing Buprenorphine

1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. EST, Wednesday, April 14^th

In this webinar participants will hear from panelists how the decriminalization of buprenorphine reduces harm and increases treatment access. It is a highly effecting treatment method for opioid use disorder, yet many communities criminalize the possession of the medication. This greatly slows down the significant progress needed to be made for the opioid epidemic.

Click here to register

Indiana Opioid Echo - Virtual ECHO Clinic for Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder and Stimulant Use Disorder

Noon – 1 p.m., Wednesdays (Series), January – May 2021

This free TeleECHO clinic aims to teach participants on how to identify and manage patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) and stimulant use disorder (SUD). The goal is to have a team of experts present on information related to medication-assisted treatment and continuity of care increase clinical competence in treating OUD and SUD. It is designed as a drop-in model, so attendance every week is not necessary. Additionally, this is an opportunity to gather CME credits, each session counts for one credit.

Upcoming sessions:

Apr.14 - Legal Issues Related to OUD

Click here to register and get a complete list of all upcoming sessions.

Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder in Pregnancy – Project ECHO

Noon - 1:30 p.m. EDT Thursday, March - July 2021

The TeleECHO Clinic has partnered with MOMII (Maternal Opioid Misuse Indiana Initiative) program to promote clinical competence in treating for this complex disease in primary care offices, specifically highlighting evidenced based practices related to Medicated Assisted Treatment and continuity of care. 

Upcoming Webinars:

April 15 – Pain Management

Click here to register.