A New Two-part Series on Relapse The National Council for Mental Wellbeing, the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers, and their partnering contributors are excited to announce the Demystifying Relapse series, which includes two issue briefs delving into the intricate dynamics of substance use disorder (SUD) recurrence and the challenges of reengaging individuals in the recovery process.
Lessons to Accelerate MOUD Prescribing Among Behavioral Health Care Providers The National Council details several strategies that have been identified to boost medication-prescribing rates for opioid use disorder (OUD), offering insights into addressing the complex challenges of combating the opioid crisis effectively.
How the US Is Sabotaging Its Best Tools to Prevent Deaths in the Opioid Epidemic | Stat News This Stat News piece investigates the denial of medications such as methadone and buprenorphine for people with opioid addiction and the various obstacles — including societal attitudes and regulations — preventing their widespread use despite their effectiveness in preventing overdose deaths.
National Council Statement on the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 The National Council released a statement on the recently passed “Minibus,” summarizing how it expands coverage and improves access to care, while thanking members of Congress for their hard work in passing the legislation.
42 CFR Part 2 Final Rule — Fact Sheet The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has released a short fact sheet on the final rule changes to 42 CFR Part 2 that align certain aspects of it with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act, enhancing confidentiality protections for SUD treatment records.
42 CFR Part 8 Final Rule — Frequently Asked Questions HHS has released an FAQ page detailing the revised 42 CFR Part 8 regulations for opioid treatment programs (OTPs) to increase access and promote patient-centered care, which mark the most substantial update to OTP treatment standards in over 20 years.
National Council Joint Statement on the Change Healthcare Cyberattack The National Council released a joint statement on the recent Change Healthcare cyberattack, highlighting the critical need for enhanced cybersecurity measures and sharing how these incidents impact substance use and mental health providers and leave their patients vulnerable to crisis. In its latest statement, HHS urges UnitedHealth Group and other insurance companies to expedite payments to impacted providers, ease administrative burdens and provide financial support.
Integrating Peer Programs for People Who Use Drugs A roadmap for communities and organizations, this resource examines how integrating peer support can help reduce risks associated with drug use, such as the transmission of infectious diseases, overdose and social stigmatization, and impact their recovery support efforts.
SPARK Training Technical Assistance Center Launches to Expand Recovery Support and Services The National Council, in partnership with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and other organizations, introduces the SAMHSA Program to Advance Recovery Knowledge (SPARK) center for providing training and technical assistance to expand recovery supports and services in states, tribes, territories and communities to implement and sustain recovery-oriented care, improve access, develop leadership, build capacity and advance recovery systems.
Advancing Measurement-informed Care in Community Behavioral Health The National Council released a paper introducing measurement-informed care (MIC), a new, advanced approach in mental health and substance use care that uses a single, curated set of measures to meet clinical care and reporting needs, helping reduce confusion, misalignment and reporting burdens for providers.
Taking Mental Health and Substance Use Organizations Tobacco-free A resource list from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-funded National Behavioral Health Network for Tobacco and Cancer Control team at the National Council that includes resources such as implementation plans, infographics, sample signage, policy examples, infographics and research references to support organizations’ transitions to becoming tobacco free. Also, check out the newly released HHS Framework to Support and Accelerate Smoking Cessation 2024, which provides a unifying vision and set of common goals to help reduce disparities and drive progress toward cessation.
Financing Peer Recovery Support: Opportunities to Enhance the Substance Use Disorder Peer Workforce | March 26, 1-2 p.m. ET This webinar provides an overview of the evolving role of peer recovery support services (PRSS) in SUD treatment, focusing on state-by-state financing. It covers funding sources such as federal grants and Medicaid reimbursements, along with utilization, regulations and opportunities for workforce expansion.
Virtual Training to Prescribe Medications for Opioid Use Disorder | April 8, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. ET Access this free training on prescribing medications for the treatment of patients with OUD. Trainings count toward the DEA’s new eight-hour training licensure requirement.
Explore Substance Use Treatments and Trends at NatCon24 | April 15-17 in St. Louis NatCon24, the biggest event in behavioral health care, is right around the corner! Join us to hear from 500+ speakers, network with 5,000+ colleagues, choose from 200+ sessions, earn 150+ continuing education credits and more. Our expert-led substance use learning track will cover the latest treatments and trends. Register by April 1 to save $100!
Introduction to Psychedelics for the Treatment of Substance Use Disorder | June 13, 1-2 p.m. ET Join the National Council’s Substance Use Interest Group for a webinar on the emerging science of using psychedelics in addiction treatment. The discussion will cover the historical and cultural contexts, current research and regulatory landscape of psychedelic therapy for SUD.
Expanding SUD Treatment Capacity in Adult and Family Treatment Drug Courts | Deadline April 1 SAMHSA funding to expand SUD treatment and recovery support services in existing drug courts, promoting treatment over incarceration and improving outcomes such as abstinence, housing stability, employment, social connectedness and reduced criminal justice involvement for individuals with SUD.
State Pilot Program for Treatment for Pregnant and Postpartum Women | Deadline April 1 SAMHSA funding to advance family-based services for pregnant and postpartum people with OUDs by supporting Single State Agencies in providing outpatient treatment, recovery services and coordinated systems of care.
Overdose Reversal Medication Distribution in Rural Communities | Deadline April 15 Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) funding to support first responders and local and state government organizations in rural communities in training, administering and distributing naloxone and other FDA-approved overdose reversal medications or devices.
Rural Communities Opioid Response Impact Program | Deadline May 6 HRSA funding to improve access to integrated and coordinated treatment and recovery services for SUD in rural areas, aiming to promote long-term, sustained recovery.
