The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) and the American Medical Association (AMA) jointly announced today the release of a concept paper detailing a groundbreaking alternative payment model (APM) that could revolutionize how patients with opioid use disorder are treated.

The American Society of Addiction Medicine is pleased to hear that The ASAM Criteria was included in today’s discussion about solutions to combat the opioid misuse and overdose crisis. Addressing this public health emergency will require systemic and sustainable changes to our addiction treatment infrastructure and workforce, as well as expanded access to comprehensive, evidenced-based treatment that includes all levels of care. 

During ASAM’s 2018 Annual Conference, ASAM’s Board of Directors approved of three new policy statements: Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs), E-Cigarettes, and the Role of Recovery in Addiction Care.

ASAM is pleased to offer a letter of support for S. 2589, the Comprehensive Opioid Recovery Act, introduced by Shelly Moore Capito (ME) and Senator Maggie Hassan (NH). This legislation will create competitive grants to operate Comprehensive Opioid Recovery Centers that provide a full range of treatment and recovery services, such as medication assisted treatment, recovery housing, job training and supported reintegration into the workforce, counseling, and community-based and peer recovery support services.

Today, the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) applauded U.S. Surgeon General Jerome M. Adams, MD, MPH, for encouraging more individuals, including family, friends, and those at risk for opioid overdose, to keep on hand naloxone, an FDA-approved medication that can reverse opioid-induced respiratory depression.

The Coalition to Stop Opioid Overdose (CSOO) is pleased to welcome the American Psychological Association (APA) as the newest member of the coalition. APA is the largest national presence advocating for psychology in the United States, and has over 115,700 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants and students as its members.

The Coalition to Stop Opioid Overdose (CSOO) is pleased to announce the National Council for Behavioral Health (National Council) as a new member of the coalition. The National Council for Behavioral Health is the leading voice for health care organizations that deliver mental health, addiction treatment, and support services.

The statement includes recommendations to support correctional policy makers and correctional healthcare professionals in providing evidence-based care to those in their custody or under their supervision who have an opioid use disorder.