SAMHSA and FDA Promote the Medication First Model in New ‘Dear Colleague’ Letter
The undeniable truth is that the Medication First Model saves lives by providing access to people in need. Given this reality, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) joined forces. In a joint ‘Dear Colleague’ letter, the national leadership team sends a powerful message promoting the Medication First Model.
Miriam E. Delphin-Ritman, Ph.D., and Patrizia Cavazzoni, MD, sign the letter. Dr. Delphine-Ritman is the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use. Dr. Patrizia is the Director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. Together, they are key members of the leadership team of the federal response to the national opioid overdose crisis. Hence, they vigorously promote broader access to Medications for Substance Use Disorders. Indeed, such medications are critical in treating opioid use disorder (OUD).
Tarzana Treatment Centers Supports the Medication First Model
In the ‘Dear Colleague’ letter, the point is clear: “Medication treatment saves lives, and we encourage colleagues in the field to screen for OUD and to initiate or refer for treatment as indicated.” As a Medications for Addiction Treatment (MAT) provider, Tarzana Treatment Centers supports this perspective. From first-hand experience, we know that MAT Services saves lives in outpatient and inpatient settings
In the letter, the national experts write, “Providing interventions in a person-centered manner is an important treatment principle. This means assessing and taking into account a person’s stage of change as treatment begins and progresses, incorporating the patient’s goals and priorities into the treatment plan, and applying a shared decision-making approach.”
In other words, it is essential to meet patients where they are willing to meet is critical. Such delivery makes sense if a patient needs MAT Services post-assessment but before in-depth counseling work. Most importantly, MAT Services given during the initial stages of treatment often save lives. Indeed, such services help prevent relapse and overdoses
Medication First Model Saves Lives and Prevents Overdoses
However, it is essential to note that the Medication First Model is not an alternative to counseling. Instead, the Medication First Model is a stopgap to save lives until treatment is possible. Should a patient be put at risk because a bed in a treatment facility is unavailable? Hence, realizing this makes no sense, TTC offers MAT Services in outpatient settings.
In the ‘Dear Colleague’ letter, Dr. Delphine-Ritman and Dr. Patrizia state clearly, “Given the elevated risk of fatal overdose without medication therapy, any difficulty in connecting patients with counseling and/or other behavioral health resources should not prevent practitioners from prescribing buprenorphine for the treatment of OUD. Evidence reveals that when counseling or other resources are not immediately available, patients can still benefit from buprenorphine treatment.”
Therefore, considering such conclusions, TTC underscores the importance of providing access to MAT Services. Ultimately, other forms of treatment, like counseling, are a priority. However, until such services are more widely available, the Medication First Model is a lifesaving approach to the ongoing opioid overdose crisis. To learn more about MAT Services at TTC, please contact us today to help yourself or a loved one.