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Across Colorado and the United States, rates of opioid addiction and overdose are devastating communities, families and individuals. Colorado recorded 558 opioid overdose deaths in 2017 from both prescription opioids and illegal opioids such as heroin. The opioid epidemic is a result of a number of challenges, including a sharp and steady increase in opioids such as hydrocodone and oxycodone prescribed for patients by their doctors, limited access to treatment especially in rural areas, increased use of heroin and injection drug use, deadly additives to the heroin supply such as fentanyl and carfentanil, stigma and the cost of treatment.
Nationwide, an estimated 11.8 million people misused opioids in 2016, including 11.5 million pain reliever misusers and 948,000 heroin users, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. A White House Council of Economic Advisers analysis said the opioid epidemic cost between $293.9 and $622.1 billion in 2015, with a preferred estimate of $504 billion.
The Office of Behavioral Health provides oversight of and purchases opioid treatment services, including traditional substance use disorder treatment and opioid treatment programs (OTPs). The Office provides some oversight for office-based opioid treatment (OBOT), and training support for primary care providers who prescribe or would like to prescribe buprenorphine. In May 2018, the Office of Behavioral Health launched Lift The Label, a public awareness campaign that strives to remove damaging labels and stigmas that prevent those with opioid addiction from seeking effective treatment.
Opioids are a class of drug that includes illegal drugs like heroin and prescription drugs or painkillers such as oxycodone (OxyContin®), hydrocodone (Vicodin®), codeine, morphine and many others. Prescriptions opioids are often prescribed for short periods of time to address acute pain, but can lead to addiction or chemical dependence in as few as 7 days. Among people misusing the drug, most people (75 percent) are getting their opioids from a doctor, friend or family member. This is why Colorado and many other states are working to reduce the number of opioid prescriptions and support safe prescribing methods.
Misuse of prescription opioids can also lead into heroin use. Among heroin users in Colorado, 70 percent say they started their drug use with prescription medications. If you or a loved one is misusing prescription medications or heroin, TREATMENT WORKS and RECOVERY IS POSSIBLE. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has signs of opioid use.
Medication-assisted treatment is considered the gold standard because the three types of medicine commonly used to treat opioid addiction -- methadone, buprenorphine and naltrexone -- have been found effective in clinical trials.
OTPs must be certified by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and accredited to dispense opioid treatment medications, including methadone and buprenorphine. All OTPs also must be licensed by the Office of Behavioral Health and must register with the Drug Enforcement Administration. These regulations support standardized, evidence-based practices to ensure patient safety and prevent diversion of medications (sale or use outside of the treatment providers care). Daily dosing, urinalysis, chart reviews and daily reporting all help keep patients safe and prevent diversion.
The Office of Behavioral Health maintains a central registry of opioid treatment programs and keeps them in compliance with federal laws. See the list of treatment programs. Contact Mandy.Malone@state.co.us for more information.
Office-based opioid treatment (OBOT) is an integrated model of treatment in which a patient receives MAT services in an integrated care setting, such as from a primary care provider. Primary care providers (physicians, advanced practice nurses and physicians’ assistants) can get trained to provide buprenorphine treatment as a part of an individual's comprehensive health services. In 2017, Colorado had 181 physicians seeing at least 30 patients, and 22 physicians seeing over 100 patients. Use the Buprenorphine Treatment Practice Locator to find a provider near you.
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT), including opioid treatment programs (OTPs), combines behavioral therapy and medications to treat substance use disorders. Approved medications for opiate use disorder include methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone. Those receiving medications as part of their treatment are 75 percent less likely to die because of addiction than those not receiving medications. Find an MAT provider near you.
The Office of Behavioral Health funds treatment to individuals without insurance and pays for inpatient substance use treatment for individuals with Medicaid. HealthFirst Colorado (Medicaid) and most commercial health insurance pay for outpatient substance use treatment, including MAT. FIND TREATMENT HERE. If you cannot pay for treatment, most substance use providers use a sliding scale based on income and have financial counselors that can help you get health insurance.
For more information about Colorado's State Targeted Reponse to the Opioid Crisis programs and services, please contact:
Marc Condojani, Director of Adult Treatment and Recovery Office of Behavioral Health marc.condojani@state.co.us | 303.866.7173 Cristen Bates, Director of Strategy, Communications and Policy Office of Behavioral Health cristen.bates@state.co.us | 303.866.7166
For more information about Colorado Medicated-Assisted Treatment Prescription Drug and Opioid Addiction programs, please contact:
Meredith Davis, MAT-PDOA Grant Coordinator Office of Behavioral Health meredith.m.davis@state.co.us | 303.866.7318
For more information about OBH opioid treatment programs and services, please contact:
Mandy Malone, State Opioid Treatment Authority and Controlled Substance Administrator Office of Behavioral Health mandy.malone@state.co.us | 303.866.7493
Jacqueline Brandt, Quality Assurance and Methadone Central Registry Office of Behavioral Health jacqueline.brandt@state.co.us | 303.866.7883
