Guide to Integrating Infectious Disease Testing and Treatment Services in Opioid Treatment Programs-Guide

Guide

Pdf Summary

The document provides an overview of the collaborative effort to address opioid, stimulant, and substance use disorders through the State Opioid Response/Tribal Opioid Response – Technical Assistance grant. Funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and coordinated by the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry, in partnership with various institutions, this initiative forms the Opioid Response Network. This coalition aims to deliver free training and education to combat substance abuse.<br /><br />A significant output of this initiative is “Your Guide to Integrating Infectious Disease Testing and Treatment Services in Opioid Treatment Programs”. This guide builds on previous work focused on integrating Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) services into Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs) and seeks to expand these efforts to include HIV, HCV, and syphilis screening, testing, and treatment. The guide highlights the intertwined nature of substance use disorders and infectious diseases, emphasizing the importance of syndemic approaches—where multiple conditions intersect within vulnerable populations exacerbated by social determinants of health.<br /><br />The guide is structured to aid OTPs in integrating infectious disease services systematically. It spans from providing background on the need to address infectious diseases within OTPs, outlining core components of integrated services (education, screening, and treatment), to offering practical steps for implementation, financing, and sustainability.<br /><br />Key inclusions are strategies for cultural integration, workforce training, and maintaining coordination to ensure effective linkage to care. The guide also offers case studies and additional resources for implementation support.<br /><br />Funding mechanisms and the importance of leveraging existing resources and partnerships with bodies like local health departments and federally funded programs are also addressed. The document strongly supports using telehealth and mobile health innovations to enhance care delivery, particularly in underserved and rural areas.<br /><br />Overall, the guide is a comprehensive resource for OTPs to design, implement, and sustain integrated care models to improve health outcomes for individuals with substance use disorders and co-occurring infectious diseases.

Keywords

Opioid Response Network

substance use disorders

SAMHSA

infectious disease integration

HIV screening

HCV treatment

syndemic approach

telehealth

workforce training

cultural integration