Articles

There is no question that access to medications for opioid use disorder (OUD) is critical. As a provider of MAT Services, Tarzana Treatment Centers (TTC) understands how access to these medications saves lives. Hence, TTC applauds the decision by the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to expand access to medications for opioid use disorder.

Indeed, expanding such access is crucial in the battle against fentanyl abuse and the drug overdose epidemic. By increasing access to medications for opioid use disorder, HHS is placing essential tools for treatment providers. Administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the new grant awards will total an additional $47.8 million increase.

Critical Role of Medications for Opioid Use Disorder

Explaining the importance of this increase in funding, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra explains, “Improving access to evidence-based treatment is one of the pillars of the HHS Overdose Prevention Strategy. Funding multifaceted efforts to prevent and treat addiction reflects our commitment to helping Americans attain and sustain recovery.”

The goal of the new grants is to facilitate the following nationwide efforts:

1. Prevention

1. Treatment

1. Recovery Support

1. Harm Reduction

These are the four pillars of the HHS Overdose Prevention Strategy. Moreover, these four pillars are the heart of the Biden-Harris Administration’s National Drug Control Strategy. Beyond medications for opioid use disorder, the strategy focuses on taking a whole-of-government approach to the overdose epidemic.

White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) Director Dr. Rahul Gupta highlights, “Drug overdoses have taken a heartbreaking toll on our country, and addressing untreated addiction is a key component of President Biden’s National Drug Control Strategy. These grant programs will help further advance the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to support drug prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery services.”

Medications for Opioid Use Disorder = A Critical Component

In these federal efforts, medications for opioid use disorder are a critical component. Given the national overdose epidemic, first responder medications like naloxone reverse accidental overdoses, while treatment medications like buprenorphine aid in the withdrawal management process.

In the TTC treatment services program, dealing with the difficulties of withdrawal management is a priority. Moreover, effective withdrawal management saves lives by helping patients in early recovery stay in treatment. Therefore, prioritizing access to medications for opioid use disorder is a national priority.

If you or a loved one is struggling with fentanyl abuse or prescription painkiller use, you are not alone. Indeed, even shooting heroin or smoking opium, you are not alone. Furthermore, TTC is here to help with medications for opioid use disorder. Thus, MAT (medications for addiction treatment) Services are an inherent aspect of our treatment program. To learn more, please contact us today.