Resources for Providers

Why Health Care Providers Need to Understand SUD

Reduce stigma

Knowledge about substance use disorder helps providers recognize it is a chronic medical condition, not a moral failing. This reduces stigma, promotes compassionate care and encourages patients to seek help without fear of judgment.

Background	Stigmatizing Terms	Medically Accurate or Preferred Terms
Person-first language signals that SUD is an illness. Preferred words signal that a person with an SUD or AUD has a problem/illness rather than is the problem. Preferred terms avoid elicit negative associations, punitive attitudes and individual blame.	User Addict Substance abuser Substance user Junkie	Person with a substance abuse disorder (SUD)
	Alcoholic Drunk	Person with alcohol use disorder (AUD)
The stigmatizing terms may decrease a person's sense of hope and self-efficacy for change.	Dirty Failed a drug test	Tested Positive (on a screen)
The stigmatizing term "abuse" has a high association with negative judgments and punishment.	Abuse	Use (for illicit drugs) Misuse (for prescription medications used other than prescribed)

Words Matter poster (PDF)

Improve access to care

When providers understand evidence-based treatments and feel confident in managing SUD, they are more likely to screen, diagnose and treat/refer patients appropriately. This directly increases access to lifesaving services such as medication-assisted treatment, counseling, and recovery supports.

Find the help your patients need with this list of substance use disorder facilities in the Wichita area.

Directory of Substance Use Disorder resources in Kansas - COMING SOON!
Directory of Substance Use Disorder resources in Wichita (English)
Directory of Substance Use Disorder resources in Wichita (Spanish)
Directory of Substance Use Disorder resources in Wichita (Vietnamese)

Watch Dr. Tim Scanlan discuss what you can expect as a physician when you provide medication assisted treatment (MAT) for patients with substance use disorders:

Dr. Tim Scanlan explains what patients can expect when they begin medication assisted treatment (MAT). Consider sharing this resource with patients:

Consider using the guides below for a step-by-step guide to starting your patients on medication assisted treatment:

Everyone has a role

SUD touches nearly every area of health care – from primary care and emergency departments to behavioral health, obstetrics and pharmacy. Every provider has a role in early identification, intervention and creating a welcoming, non-stigmatizing environment.

Patients are given a two-item Brief Screen (one item for alcohol, one item for drugs).

- Alcohol: Patients who answer 1 or more should receive a full alcohol screen.

- Drugs: Patients who answer 1 or more should receive a full drug screen.

Patients are given a full screen for alcohol and/or drugs

- Alcohol: The AUDIT is a 10-item full screen that assesses severity of alcohol use.

- Drugs: The DAST is a 10-item full screen that assesses severity of drug use.

- Each screener provides directions for scoring and indicates the action the health care provider needs to take based on the patient's score.

Blue down arrow that says Brief Intervention

Patients with risky alcohol or drug use are provided a brief intervention that employs principles of motivational interviewing.

- Patients experiencing a substance abuse disorder and ready to accept treatment are given referrals to specialized care or are prescribed medications for substance use disorder as part of the patient's normal primary care.

In this video, Chad Harmon (CEO of the Substance Abuse Center of Kansas) discusses screening and early inventions for substance use disorder:

Additional Resources

Practitioners are required to complete a one-time, eight-hour training on the treatment and management of patients with opioid or other substance use disorders for their DEA registration. Use this list to find training that will meet the DEA requirement.

The Mental Health and Substance Abuse Coalition of Wichita and Sedgwick County has created this Connect ICT dashboard that allows users to find substance abuse and mental health providers for free or at reduced rates.

The Providers Clinical Support System-Medications for Opioid Use Disorders (PCSS-MOUD) provides multidisciplinary training, guidance, mentorship and implementation support at no cost to health care and behavioral health professionals to increase knowledge, skills and confidence in providing evidence-based practices in the prevention, treatment, recovery, and harm reduction of OUD.

Kansas Fights Addiction
- In 2021, the Kansas Legislature passed the Kansas Fights Addiction Act, authorizing the state to use money recovered by the Attorney General’s Office through the settlements to tackle substance use disorders (SUD) and help ensure prevention and treatment services are provided throughout the state. For more information, go to https://sunflowerfoundation.org/kansas-fights-addiction/.

SBIRT Oregon is a free resource with training and guides to implement SBIRT: https://www.sbirtoregon.org/