Engagement in substance use disorder treatment represents a potential paradox- while it can help individuals eliminate or reduce drug use, which can decrease overdose risk; it is also a tolerance changing event that can actually increase risk for overdose death.
In March 2015, SAMHSA updated Opioid Treatment Program guidelines, including new guidance on discussing overdose:
“Overdose prevention, including prescribing or dispensing naloxone, is an essential complement to both detoxification services as well as medically supervised withdrawal. Patients should be advised of the risks of relapse following detoxification and offered a relapse prevention program that includes counseling, naloxone and opioid antagonist therapy.”
We provide some sample documents that may facilitate the process.
(see Section 46.0 Overdose Prevention and Education on pg. 140)
