Treating Opioid Addiction in the Emergency Department

ER visits related to opioids are climbing. Typically, patients’ symptoms are treated, but the underlying disease of addiction is not. Buprenorphine, an effective addiction treatment, is now being offered by physicians in some emergency departments. Patients are started on the treatment and referred to outpatient care from there. Studies show that patients who start buprenorphine in the emergency department are significantly more likely to still be in treatment down the road than those who are not given the medication. See more at chcf.org.