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 – Opioids are highly addictive, and they change how the brain works. Anyone can become addicted, even when opioids are prescribed by a doctor and taken as directed. This resource describes the major warning signs of addiction, the importance of asking for help, and talking with the doctor to find out what treatments are best for you.
- Take Action to Prevent Addiction – Every day in the United States, 41 people lose their lives to prescription opioid overdose. Prescription opioids—like hydrocodone, oxycodone, and morphine—can be prescribed by doctors to treat moderate to severe pain but can have serious risks and side effects. This resource provides various facts about opioids, encourages talking about your questions and concerns, and tips to reduce risks associated with this group of medications.
- Nonopioid Treatments for Chronic Pain – Patients with pain should receive treatment that provides the greatest benefit. Opioids are not the first-line therapy for chronic pain outside of active cancer treatment, palliative care, and end-of-life care. Evidence suggests that nonopioid treatments can provide relief to those suffering from chronic pain and are safer.
- Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) Fact Sheet – A PDMP is a statewide electronic database that tracks all controlled substance prescriptions. Authorized users can access prescription data such as medications dispensed and doses. Checking your state’s PDMP is an important step in safer prescribing.
- Pocket Guide: Tapering Opioids for Chronic Pain – Use this pocket guide describing how to taper opioid prescribing and how to monitor and adjust the patient’s response to opioids.
- 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
- Prescribing Tips and When to Taper Opioids
- Talk to Your Doctor About Medication
Toolkits
- Checklist for prescribing opioids for chronic pain – For primary care providers treating adults (18+) with chronic pain ≥3 months, excluding cancer, palliative, and end-of-life care.
- 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
- Leveraging Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) Data in Overdose Prevention and Response
- Opioid Overdose Toolkit – Opioid Use Disorder Facts
Helpful Resources
Local/State
- Division of Mental Health and Addiction (DMHA)
- 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
- 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.