Are You or Someone You Know Struggling From Substance Use Disorders or Mental Health Concerns?
The Physicians’ Health Program provides support to healthcare professionals and students that are struggling with substance use disorders, mental, or behavioral concerns.
Make a Referral or Call (866) 747-2255 or (717) 558-7819 for Help
The Opioid Epidemic:
The diversion of prescription drugs and the misuse of opioids have sparked a nationwide crisis, deeply affecting communities across the United States. In Pennsylvania, this epidemic is impacting residents statewide. The Pennsylvania Opioid Data Dashboard and the Office of Drug Surveillance and Misuse Prevention Data Report provide the most current statistics on overdose rates and substance use disorders. Additionally, PPA has partnered with the Allied Against Opioid Abuse (AAOA), a national initiative focused on education and raising awareness to prevent the misuse of prescription opioids.
Pennsylvania’s Opioid Data Dashboard
PA Office of Drug Surveillance and Misuse Prevention Data Report
Naloxone:
Naloxone is the reversal agent for opioid overdoses. Pennsylvanians can get Naloxone at a pharmacy by using the PA Standing Order for Naloxone Prescription. To review the most up to date Standing Order click HERE.
Find out more information about Naloxone, including patient stories, how to implement, and registries, view PPA’s Naloxone Toolkit. Click here to view this Toolkit.
Medication Disposal & Pharmacy Medication Take-Back Programs:
To combat the opioid epidemic, the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) made efforts to reduce diversion and medication misuse by creating ways for people to safely dispose of unused/unwanted medications. Such efforts include more education on safe disposal methods and drug take back locations. Use the link below to find a Drug Take Back Location near you. The FDA also has a “Flush List” that’s list of medications that are safe to flush for disposal.
PPA’s White Paper on Medication Disposal (2015)
Prescribing and Dispensing Guidelines:
Below the CDC and PA practice guidelines for prescribing opioids for the treatment of pain. To prevent prescription abuse, the Pennsylvania Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) monitors the dispensing of all controlled medications. This information can help health care providers safely prescribe controlled medications for their patients.
CDC Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Pain
PA Prescribing Guidelines for Safe and Effective Use of Opioids in the Treatment of Pain
Prescription Drug Monitoring Program
*PPA has a 30 minute template that can be used to deliver a CE or informational session on prescribing/dispensing guidelines. If you are interested in this topic, please contact PPA.
Treatment Availability & Options:
SBIRT: Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment
Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) is an evidenced-based practice used to identify, reduce, and prevent problematic use, misuse, and dependence on alcohol and drugs. Below are links for more information and trainings on SBIRT.
Please click here to view an issue brief about SBIRT.
Click here for more information on SBIRT training programs.
The Physicians’ Health Program
The Physicians’ Health Program helps to identify and facilitate rehabilitation of healthcare providers and trainers with concerns of substance use disorders, mental, and behavioral concerns. This program is the “new” SARPH.
Other Resources:
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Click here for SAMHSA resources
Click here for the treatment locator
Click here for the Opioid Treatment Program Directory
APhA Substance Abuse Disorder Resource Center
APhA-ASP Operation Substance Use Disorders
Addressing Stigma Surrounding Opioid Use Disorder
Let’s Talk Stigma: Opioid Use Disorder Podcast Miniseries
Up and Away and Out of Sight: Poisoning Prevention Campaign
For more information about the Up and Away and Out of Sight educational program, visit www.UpAndAway.org or in Spanish www.UpAndAway.org/es.
