COVID-19 Coronavirus

As the leader in developing clinical guidelines and standards in addiction medicine, the American Society of Addiction Medicine takes our responsibility very seriously. We convened the ASAM Caring for Patients During the COVID-19 (CPDC) Task Force to rapidly develop guidance tailored to addiction medicine treatment within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. These materials have been updated as of September 18, 2020.

While many states across the country are relaxing physical distancing and other restrictions put in place in response to COVID-19, people remain at risk for infection based on widespread community transmission and increasing population prevalence of the virus. As a result, the pandemic continues to impact the work of addiction treatment clinicians and programs as they strive to maintain safety for both staff and patients.

Physicians should use their personal and professional judgment in interpreting guidance recommendations and applying them to the circumstances of their individual patients and practice arrangements.

These materials are provided for educational and informational purposes only. The guidance is not intended to provide legal or medical advice and should not be relied upon as such.

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Learn about taskforce members, a national panel of experts

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FREE Education Resources & Webinars

ASAM has created a collection of educational resources addressing guidance for addiction medicine treatment within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. All resources are made available FREE through ASAM’s e-Learning Center.

RESOURCE AREAS

Ongoing Management of the Continuum of Addiction Care During COVID-19

While many places across the country are starting to relax physical distancing restrictions, the COVID-19 pandemic is not over. Communities and treatment programs across the country remain at risk for increasing population prevalence over time.

Access to Buprenorphine in Office-Based Settings

Guidance to ambulatory addiction treatment providers, including those working in primary care, and programs as they strive to ensure that patients continue to have appropriate access to buprenorphine.

Access to Care in Opioid Treatment Programs

This resource is intended to provide guidance on the issues that OTPs should consider as they navigate the COVID-19 crisis.

Addiction Treatment in Acute Hospital Settings

This guidance is related to the delivery of addiction treatment in hospital settings during the COVID- 19 pandemic.

Adjusting Drug Testing Protocols

Balancing the utility of having the data from a urine drug test against the risk of COVID-19 virus exposure to patients, laboratory staff, and clinic staff/providers.

Clinician Wellbeing

It is essential that clinicians, treatment facilities, programs, and healthcare systems take steps to protect clinician wellbeing during this public health crisis and beyond.

Infection Mitigation: Outpatient Settings

This provides guidance to outpatient addiction treatment providers and programs when developing infection control procedures to address the COVID-19 pandemic.

Infection Mitigation: Residential Treatment Facilities

Guidance to residential addiction treatment programs (ASAM Levels 3.1, 3.3, 3.5 and 3.7), supporting the development of infection control and mitigation procedures to address the COVID-19 pandemic.

Managing Justice Involved Persons with Addiction

This guidance is intended to provide guidance on issues related to adaptations criminal justice systems and addiction treatment providers may need to make to address individuals with addiction and criminal justice involvement during the COVID-19 crisis.

Medication Dosage or Formulation

Guidance to outpatient addiction treatment providers in selecting medications and adjusting medication dose or formulation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

National & State Guidance

This webpage contains news, guidance and resources from around the country regarding addiction treatment in the wake of COVID-19.

Supporting Access to Alcohol Use Disorder and Alcohol Withdrawal Treatment

Guidance to addiction treatment providers to support continued access to care for alcohol use disorder and alcohol withdrawal management during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Support Group Participation

A guide for addiction treatment providers and programs working to treat patients with substance use disorders safely and effectively during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Treating Unhoused People with Addiction

This resource is intended to provide guidance on the issues related to adaptations safety net systems may need to make to address individuals with addiction and lack of housing as they navigate the COVID-19 crisis.

Telehealth Access for Addiction Treatment

Regulatory Overview and General Practice Considerations

Treating Pregnant People with Opioid Use Disorder

Guidance for addiction treatment providers and programs on the treatment of pregnant people with OUD during the COVID-19 pandemic.

American Society of Addiction Medicine

COVID-19 - Resources