Improving Care for Patients with Substance Use Disorder

This document is a guide that outlines strategies for healthcare providers to enhance care for patients with substance use disorder (SUD). It discusses the challenges in treating SUD, particularly the fragmented nature of services and the need for comprehensive, integrated care. The guide emphasizes the importance of improving access and coordination across the care continuum, developing robust clinical programming tailored to specific populations, and measuring the value of care delivery. It highlights the growing demand for SUD services, noting that over 70 million adults in the U.S. suffer from SUD, with many having co-occurring mental illness. The guide also addresses the necessity of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) in improving patient outcomes and reducing mortality rates. Furthermore, it identifies the need for specialized programs that cater to diverse patient populations, including women, adolescents, and LGBTQIA+ individuals, to effectively address their unique challenges and improve treatment efficacy.