Opioid related deaths have skyrocketed since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent data reports a catastrophic 5,148 OPIOID TOXICITY DEATHS during this time, representing an 89% increase from 2019.
The new Canadian guidelines for treating opioid use disorder could not have emerged at a more critical time. These updated guidelines are broken down into five sections:
a) PREPARING TO PROVIDE OPIOID AGONIST THERAPY
b) PROVIDING DIFFERENT FORMS OF OPIOID AGONIST THERAPY
c) PROVIDING OPIOID AGONIST THERAPY IN SPECIFIC SETTINGS AND POPULATIONS
d) PROVIDING OPIOID THERAPY FOR PATIENTS WITH CO-OCCURING DISORDERS
e) DISCONTINUING OPIOID AGONIST THERAPY
Each section addresses key aspects of management including standards and frameworks for care, as well as clinical recommendations for prescribers.
Click here to review the guidelines which are now available from CAMH (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health).