The COVID-19 pandemic has magnified the toll of the opioid epidemic. Across the United States, overdose-related mortality increased by nearly 20% by mid-2020, with synthetic opioids as the primary driver of the increase. The purpose of this guidance is to help clinicians to recognize the impact of COVID-19 on people who use opioids and think creatively to help ensure access to treatment for opioid use disorder throughout the pandemic. Telehealth, extended prescriptions or take-home medications, and reduced drug testing frequency are 3 approaches that can be implemented to meet the needs of people with OUD during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, access to naloxone and sterile syringes should be preserved and promoted throughout the course of OUD treatment. Go to the guidance | Download PDF
- Purpose and Development of This Guideline
- Definition of Terms
- Goals of Screening and Risk Assessment
- Substance Use Screening for All Adult Patients in the Primary Care Setting
- Screening Tools
- Risk Assessment
- Management of Low-, Moderate-, and High-Risk Substance Use
- Diagnosis of Substance Use Disorder
- All Recommendations