Prescribe with Confidence

More Than an Estimated 6 Million People Aged 12 or Older Have Opioid Use Disorder

Many primary care providers likely already provide medical care to people who also have opioid use disorder (OUD). There are a lot of people with OUD who need or want treatment but have not yet received any. That includes some people who do not have access to specialty care for this purpose.

Opioid Use Disorder is a Treatable Chronic Health Condition

Providers in a variety of primary care settings should work together with their patients to manage care for OUD. You can do this the same way you practice shared decision-making to help patients manage asthma, diabetes, or hypertension. Some people may benefit from a prescription medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD).

As a primary care provider treating other chronic health conditions, you are in a key position to also diagnose and treat OUD.

Primary Care Providers Can Prescribe Medications for Opioid Use Disorder 

Research shows that treatment of OUD is most effective when medications are used.

Many primary care providers find that prescribing medications to treat OUD is easier than they thought it would be. 

Free Training, Mentoring, and Other Resources Are Available for Health Care Providers Who Want to Start Prescribing or Learn More 

There are evidence-based supports, trainings, mentoring, reference guides and peer-to-peer connections available to help health care providers who are currently prescribing these medications or who hope to start. For Health Care Providers/Prescribers includes a selection of these resources from different organizations who specialize in supporting providers on this journey.

Medications for Opioid Use Disorder Save Lives

Health Care Providers/Prescribers

Learn more about prescribing medications used to treat OUD in your primary care practice.

Partners

Find out how you can help spread the word, learn more about the campaign, and see campaign materials.

References

• Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States: Results from the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
• Treatment of Substance Use Disorders. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
• Medications for Opioid Use Disorder Save Lives, Consensus Study Report. National Academies for Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM).
• White House National Drug Control Strategy 2022, Office of National Drug Control Policy, Executive Office of the President.
• Overdose Prevention and Response Toolkit, 2024. SAMHSA.
• Medications for Opioid Use Disorder: Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) 63. SAMHSA. 2021.
• How effective are medications to treat opioid use disorder? National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).