Opioids and Harm Reduction Resource Guide

Change to “Prescription opioids are often used to treat chronic and acute pain and can be an important component of treatment when used appropriately. However, from 1999 to 2021, nearly 280,000 people died in the United States from overdoses involving prescription opioids.

There are strategies that can help prevent overdose and support the health and well-being of communities. Before prescribing, healthcare providers can help prevent addiction and overdose by examining whether the benefits outweigh the risks, particularly if the patient is taking more than one drug at a time.The best ways to prevent opioid overdose are to improve opioid prescribing, reduce exposure to opioids, prevent misuse, and treat opioid use disorder. 

Fact Sheets

• Be Opioid Aware | Word Search – Opioids are medications used to treat moderate to severe pain. Complete this word search and review the accompanying glossary to become more aware of the dangers of opioids and the importance of using, storing, and disposing of them properly.
• Zone Tool: Pain – Use this tool to engage patients who are on new or existing pain medication, help them assess their pain using a “stoplight” format, and understand when it is time to contact their healthcare provider.
• Know the Facts About Opioid Pain Meds – This brochure describes what opioids are, how to use them safely, and the proper way to dispose of them safely.  
• Opioids Commonly Prescribed for Pain – List of opioids identified by their generic and brand names commonly prescribed for pain.  
• What You Need to Know About Treatment and Recovery– This document contains information on addiction, opioid addiction, and opioid use disorder. This fact sheet also discusses recovery, treatment options, and resources to find treatment services.
• Nursing Pocket Guide: Quick Screen for Substance Use – Use this pocket card to guide you through a quick substance use screening for your patients and offer resources for referrals, if needed. 
• Overdose Prevention Resources | National Harm Reduction Coalition
• Using Naloxone to Reverse Opioid Overdose Factsheet
• Comfort Menu
• C.O.M.F.O.R.T. Menu
• Syringe Services Programs (SSPs) Infographic
• Preventing Fentanyl Overdoses
• What You Should Know About Xylazine Video – This video from the CDC provides answers to some common questions about xylazine, xylazine use, the symptoms and health risks of xylazine and overdoses involving xylazine.
• Xylazine: Clinical Management and Harm Reduction Strategies for Patients – This fact sheet provides guidance to healthcare professionals on the clinical management of Xylazine use and harm reduction strategies for patients.
• Conversation Starter Series
  • Conversation Starter: Initiating Harm Reduction Discussions With Patients (cdc.gov)
  • Conversation Starters: If You Are Prescribed Opioids
  • Conversation Starters: If You Have Chronic Pain
  • Conversation Starters: If You Are Prescribed Opioids, Learn How to Reduce the Risk of Addiction
  • Conversation Starters: If You Recently Had an Injury
• Opioid Tapering: Talking With Patients About Treatment Changes– This fact sheet provides guidance on how to introduce patients to opioid tapering and treatment changes.

Toolkits

• 2022 CDC Clinical Practice Guideline at a Glance – This document includes 12 recommendations for clinicians providing pain care for outpatients aged 18 years or older with acute pain, subacute pain, or chronic pain.
• Opioid Overdose Prevention Toolkit – This toolkit from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides facts around opioid use disorder, essential steps for first responders, information for prescribers, safety advice for patients & family members, and resources for overdose survivors and family members. (Spanish Version)
• Safe Opioid Disposal: Remove the Risk Outreach Toolkit – Remove the Risk raises awareness of the serious dangers of keeping unused opioid pain medicines in the home and provides information about safe disposal of these medicines. Use these free tools from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration – public service announcements (PSAs), social media images and posts, fact sheets, and more—for talking with others about safe opioid disposal. 
• Six Building Blocks: A Team-Based Approach to Improving Opioid Management in Primary Care: Self-Service How-To Guide – This guide from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is a step-by-step approach designed to support clinics as they independently implement effective, guideline-driven care for their patients with chronic pain who are using opioid therapy.
• Spirit of Harm Reduction A Toolkit for Communities of Faith Facing Overdose – This toolkit from the National Harm Reduction Coalition explains how faith communities can contribute to harm reduction efforts within their communities.
• Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) for Opioid Use Disorder in Jails and Prisons: A Planning and Implementation Toolkit – National Council for Mental Wellbeing
• Use of Medication-Assisted Treatment in Emergency Departments
• Telehealth for the Treatment of Serious Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorders
• Opioid Overdose Toolkit – Opioid Use Disorder Facts
• Leveraging Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) Data in Overdose Prevention and Response– This document offers key information about PDMPs and also highlights examples of how some OD2A recipients are using PDMP data in their prevention and response work.
• 2022 Academic Detailing to Enhance Overdose Prevention: An Implementation Guide for Organizations – This guide helps state and local health departments, community organizations, and other program implementers plan, implement, and evaluate academic detailing to support overdose prevention efforts. This document builds upon an implementation guide originally developed by National Resource Center for Academic Detailing (NaRCAD).
• Linking People with Opioid Use Disorder to Medication Treatment – This technical package presents strategies that can help state, local, and tribal leaders and healthcare professionals link persons living with OUD to evidence-based care. Strategies are based on the best available evidence.

Helpful Resources

Downloadable Resources

• Be Opioid Aware | Word Search – Opioids are medications used to treat moderate to severe pain. Complete this word search and review the accompanying glossary to become more aware of the dangers of opioids and the importance of using, storing, and disposing of them properly.
• Zone Tool: Pain – Use this tool to engage patients who are on new or existing pain medication, help them assess their pain using a “stoplight” format, and understand when it is time to contact their healthcare provider.
• Know the Facts About Opioid Pain Meds – This brochure describes what opioids are, how to use them safely, and the proper way to dispose of them safely.
• Opioids Commonly Prescribed for Pain – List of opioids identified by their generic and brand names commonly prescribed for pain.
• Comfort Menu
• C.O.M.F.O.R.T. Menu
• Tips Related to Drug-Related Injuries
• Communication Tips When Discussing Opioid Tapering
• Prescribing Tips and When to Taper Opioids
• Pain Management Tips

Local/State

• Division of Mental Health and Addiction (DMHA)
  • About DMHA
  • Find a Local Service Provider
• Know The Facts’ Recovery resources
• Local Coordinating Councils
• Overdose Lifeline
• SHIP Happens
• Health: Overdose Prevention: Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

National

• CDC Help and Resources National Opioid Crisis
  • https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/index.html 
  • https://www.cdc.gov/overdose-prevention/index.html
  • Overdose Resource Exchange (ORE)
  • Additional HHS Resources | Overdose Prevention
• National Harm Reduction Coalition
• National Institute on Drug Abuse
• SAMHSA
• Opioids and Substance Use Disorders 
• National Opioids Crisis: Help and Resources
• Mental Health America

Visit qio.qsource.org for more resources.