Evidence-based treatments for substance use disorder can reduce substance use, related health harms (for example, infectious disease transmission), and overdose deaths. High-quality treatment can also increase social functioning. The strategy therefore focuses on reducing barriers to accessing the most effective treatments, using motivational and cultural enhancements to encourage those who might be reluctant, advancing strategies to improve engagement and retention, and continuing to develop new therapeutic approaches.
This page highlights current federal activities that advance evidence-based treatment by making treatment easy to get, delivering healthcare and support services in a seamless and coordinated way, and implementing new and improved models of care that appeal to and help those who need them.
Support research on and development of new treatments and strategies to improve engagement and retention in care.
Featured Activity NIH HEAL Initiative®: The HEALing Communities Study to Reduce Overdoses
The Helping to End Addiction Long-term® Initiative, or NIH HEAL Initiative® Study aims to reduce overdose deaths by 40 percent over the course of the study by testing a set of proven prevention and treatment interventions in 67 communities across four states hard-hit by the overdose crisis.
Lead Agency:
NIH
Partner Agency:
SAMHSA
NIH HEAL Initiative®: The Justice Community Opioid Innovation Network (JCOIN)
Lead Agency:
NIH
Partner Agency:
DOJ
NIDA Clinical Trials Network
Lead Agency:
NIH
Promote and advance development of stimulant use disorder treatments
Lead Agency:
NIH, FDA
NIH HEAL Initiative®: The Advancing Clinical Trials in Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal (ACT NOW) Research Program
Lead Agency:
NIH
Broaden access to evidence-based care that increases willingness to engage in treatment.
Featured Activity Medicaid Section 1115 Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Demonstrations
To improve access to and quality of substance use disorder treatment for Medicaid beneficiaries, Section 1115 Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Demonstrations provide state programs with funding to develop innovative solutions to address local concerns about health services provided and to phase in a range of strategies to address those concerns.
Lead Agency:
CMS
Expand Treatment Capacity for Medication for Opioid Use Disorder
Lead Agency:
SAMHSA
Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP)
Lead Agency:
HRSA
Integrated Care for Kids (InCK) Model
Lead Agency:
CMS
Opioid Treatment Program flexibilities during the COVID-19 pandemic
Lead Agency:
SAMHSA
Increase the uptake of evidence-based treatment delivery that improves engagement and retention in care.
Featured Activity Maternal Opioid Misuse (MOM) Model
The Maternal Opioid Misuse (MOM) Model promotes care coordination and integrated approach for pregnant and postpartum women with opioid use disorder. Supporting the coordination of clinical care and the integration of other services critical for health, well-being, and recovery. participants will receive healthcare services (e.g., maternity care, medication-assisted treatment, medical services, mental health services) provided by team of specialists.
Lead Agency:
CMS
Buprenorphine Practice Guidelines
Lead Agency:
SAMHSA
Partner Agencies:
CDC, DEA, FDA, NIH, OASH
Medicaid Demonstration Project - SUPPORT Act Section 1003
Lead Agency:
CMS
Promote evidence-based integrated care for people with co-occurring conditions across lines of service and care settings.
Featured Activity Overdose Response Strategy (ORS) and Combatting Opioid Overdose through Community-Level Intervention (COOCLI)
Building sustained partnerships between public health and public safety communities is the hallmark of the Overdose Response Strategy (ORS) Combatting Opioid Overdose through Community-Level Intervention (COOCLI) program. By connecting public health and public safety agencies, sharing information, and supporting evidence-based interventions, this effort implements innovative, evidence-based, community-level interventions across rural, suburban, and urban areas.
Learn about public health and public safety partnerships to combat overdose
Lead Agency:
CDC
Partner Agencies:
DEA, ONDCP