Finding Support for Patients with Substance Use Disorder January 17, 2024 Opioids/Substance Use prescribing buprenorphine, substance use disorder, SUD, treatment locator Substance use disorder presents an ongoing challenge to the healthcare field and the providers that operate within it. Despite lower barriers for prescription buprenorphine, a life-saving medication for opioid use disorder, many physicians still feel uncomfortable treating opioid use disorder. To remedy this, the National Clinician Consultation Center (NCCC) provides free consultation for any California health care providers seeking guidance on evaluation, management, and initiation of medications for opioid use disorder. Expert physicians and pharmacists can help providers: Build confidence, skills and capacity treating substance use disorder patients. Manage patients outside of times of crisis. Develop treatment protocol for opioid overdose, withdrawal, and aftercare. Though physicians play a large role in treating substance use disorder, treatment facilities also have a role to play. Unfortunately for patients, and the physicians referring them, treatment facilities can be hard to locate. Luckily, the national nonprofit organization, Shatterproof, has created a treatment facility locator called Treatment Atlas. Treatment Atlas makes it possible to search for providers by location, by insurance or payment options, and even by the types of medications offered for opioid or alcohol use disorder. Treatment Atlas also displays information about the extent to which treatment facilities align with best practices outlined in the Shatterproof National Principles of Care – evidence-based practices that have been shown to improve outcomes for people with SUD. With an integrated American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) 10-question assessment tool, people can answer a few, simple and confidential questions to identify the type of treatment the individual might need. People who have received treatment can leave reviews about their experience at a facility to provide consumer information to inform an individual’s search for care. To access expert advice on treating opioid use disorder, call the NCCC at (844) 326-2626. They are available 24/7, 7 days a week. Find the Atlas treatment locator at www.treatmentatlas.org.