Prescription painkillers (opioids) are the leading cause of injury death in the U.S., and now the most common class of drug involved in overdose deaths in Oklahoma. The good news is that Oklahoma’s Medical Provider community is a major contributor to the recent decline in overdose deaths. This is due, in part, to increased use of proper prescribing guidelines, policy changes and reduction in scripts written.
In 2018, there were 308 opioid-related overdose deaths in Oklahoma. Through the combined efforts of health industry leaders, law enforcement and prevention, advocates we have reduced Oklahoma’s rate of overdose involving opioids to the national average of 7.8 deaths per 100,000 persons.
Source: DrugAbuse.gov
A consortium of State and Tribal partners, including The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS) and Southern Plains Tribal Health Board (SPTHB) have significantly increased awareness and access to resources in our Oklahoma communities. This includes resources for providers to practice responsible opioid prescribing and become waivered to offer Medication Assisted Treatment.
TSO is doing its part to also increase access to Medical Education for Providers and Patients. We have compiled a variety of resource links for you to explore below.
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Project Echo allows providers to get expert addiction specialist knowledge in a virtual learning environment network with OSU Center for Health Sciences addiction medicine ECHO team. The curriculum is designed to expand expertise in treating substance use disorders in the primary care setting.
In 2018, approximately 1 in 13 Oklahoma adults, about 277,000, needed but were not receiving treatment for substance use. Oklahoma ranks 20th in the nation for the greatest unmet substance treatment need at 7.7%.
If you are interested in becoming a part of the solution, visit Project Echo for a list of educational topics and schedules.
Project Echo OSMA CME Resources OklahomaMAT Medical CME Resources OSU CME Course Catalog Osteopathic FoundersIn response to the growing opioid epidemic, physicians are expanding their knowledge on safe prescribing practices.
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More than 549,000 health care professionals successfully completed continued education training programs in 2017.
Source: American Medical Association
SAMHSA funds continuing medical education courses on prescribing opioids for chronic pain developed by local and state health organizations across the United States. Most of these courses also include resources that address practice management, legal and regulatory issues, opioid pharmacology, and strategies for managing challenging patient situations.
SAMHSA-supported courses are planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education.
This SAMHSA funded publication provides 13 fact sheets designed to increase awareness of the risks associated with prescription opioid use and misuse, as well as educating patients prescribed opioids for pain about the risks and provide resources on methods for alternative pain management.
Learn MoreScreening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) is an evidence-based practice used to identify, reduce, and prevent problematic use, abuse, and dependence on alcohol and illicit drugs.
Learn MoreThe AAAP provides a number of continuing medical education opportunities for professionals seeking training on prescribing opioids for chronic pain.
Learn MoreThe AOAAM offers a number of SAMHSA-supported prescribing courses, including a Self-Study Series developed by the Providers’ Clinical Support System for Medication Assisted Therapy.
Learn MoreThe ASPMN sponsors prescribing courses developed by the Providers’ Clinical Support System for Opioid Therapies.
Learn MoreThe American Society of Addiction Medicine sponsors a number of prescribing courses for MAT services providers. ASAM’s education website offers more than 300 hours of CME learning through live and online instruction.
Learn MoreSafe and Effective Opioid Prescribing for Chronic Pain offers education in safely and competently using opioids to treat chronic pain.
Learn MoreThe Addiction Technology Transfer Center Network, funded by SAMHSA, has a training course calendar to help you stay up-to-date on future prescription courses.
Learn MoreThe American Medical Association promotes the art and science of medicine and the betterment of public health.
Learn MoreNew to MAT? Visit our Treatment page, which has a basic rundown about MAT.
We recommend that all levels of providers strive to get their DEA “X waiver” to offer MAT services, because pathways to opioid addiction often begin with legitimate medical conditions that require pain management. These are everyday patients who, through injury, now struggle with opioid addiction. These are your neighbors, colleagues, family members and friends. They deserve the opportunity to establish their new normal as a person living in Recovery with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD).
To get you started down the right path, click the link below below based on the credential that best fits you.
The Center for Wellness & Recovery provides MAT training to all OSU second-year resident physicians and practicing physicians. Our goal is to increase the number of MAT-trained physicians in Oklahoma.
Learn MoreThe Oklahoma MAT project is working to expand MAT access for persons with opioid use disorder. We do this through training and supporting rural primary care practices across Oklahoma.
Learn MoreThere are ways to prevent opioid overdose, which saves lives. It should be noted that overdose can have long lasting physical effects after the event itself. That is why preventing it from happening in the first place is a priority.
Let’s take a look at what happens to the body during an opioid overdose.
The risk of fatal overdose can occur with prescribed opioids as well as misused/abused opioids and heroin/fentanyl. If you take opioids for pain, ask your Medical Provider to co-prescribe a naloxone-containing medication like Narcan®. If you are a Medical Provider, discuss the risks for overdose with your patients prior to prescribing opioids for pain.
An opioid overdose is not a blissful stroll through the park. It is deadly, and many times these overdoses are accidental.
Typically, withdrawal wakes the victim, which can include vomiting, disorientation, and other undesirable side effects.
Before intervention or long-term treatment can begin for an overdosed victim, life-saving measures must be undertaken. A dead victim has no chance for recovery.
MYTH: Naloxone can be abused and become addictive.
FACT: Naloxone cannot be used to get high. Naloxone is safe and effective with no potential for abuse.
MYTH: Naloxone can be taken before using drugs to avoid an overdose
FACT: Naloxone is only effective following an opioid-involved overdose. It removes opioids that have clogged the brain’s receptors and suppressed natural breathing, which can result in a heart attack if not given in time. Upon administration of Naloxone, victims of overdose enter opioid withdrawal, which can result in discomfort, but this can restart natural breathing and heart function saving their life. Also, multiple administrations may be needed depending on the strength and dosage of the opioid involved.
MYTH: Naloxone is a crutch to allow drug addicts to keep using opioids without real consequences.
FACT: According to research, making Naloxone available to the public does not encourage people to use opiates more. The goal of releasing Naloxone to the public is to prevent unnecessary deaths by educating people how to recognize, prevent, and intervene during an overdose.
Save first, ask questions second, pass judgment…ever.
According to Adapt Pharma, the makers of Narcan®, this rescue treatment is FDA approved, covered by most insurers and can be purchased directly from your pharmacists without a prescription from your doctor.
Think SMART Oklahoma partners with several organizations to provide consumers with latest information concerning Naloxone/Narcan availability in the state.