Topic in Focus: Substance Use Disorders

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AMA Update

Rising cervical cancer rates and a new at-home screening test for cervical cancer

Jul 24, 2025 | 10 Min Read
Illustration of three physicians

6 reasons to join the AMA

1 Min Read
Clear Search
Two physicians fill out paperwork at a table.
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5 Min Read

Amid an epidemic, these physicians are taking action

Doctors encourage non-opioid approaches to pain and safe disposal of unwanted meds, and change the approach to post-surgical prescribing.

Behavioral Health
Social worker speaking with an opioid patient.
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4 Min Read

Time to adopt view of opioid-use disorder as chronic disease

Stigmatization and payers’ use of prior authorization can make it harder to deliver evidence-based treatment to the patients who need it.

Behavioral Health
Yellow scene tap barring entrance to treatment.
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5 Min Read

Opioid-use disorder requires treatment, not punishment

An expert on opioid-use disorder says evidence on effective treatment exists, but is not yet widely adhered to because of stigma and other barriers.

Behavioral Health
Tech demonstrates how to administer naloxone on training mannequin.
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4 Min Read

Naloxone training sessions put students in realistic settings

The opioid crisis has hit Ohio hard. In response, University of Toledo medical faculty developed a program designed to teach students to save lives.

ChangeMedEd Initiative
The White House
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6 Min Read

Opioids emergency declaration must be followed with smart action

Only 10 percent of patients with opioid-use disorder can access treatment. Regulatory and payment barriers must be eliminated to end the epidemic.

Behavioral Health
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3 Min Read

Oct. 5, 2017: State Advocacy Update

New resources on treating substance-use disorder, registration for opioid webinar and more in AMA's latest state and local advocacy efforts.

Advocacy Update
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4 Min Read

HHS hears opposition to weakening ACA’s anti-discrimination rule

HHS urged to get stakeholder input and public comment before changing the Affordable Care Act’s sex-discrimination prohibitions.

Health Equity
Prescription pad with naloxone written on it.
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5 Min Read

New guidance: Who can benefit from naloxone co-prescribing

The opioid-overdose antidote naloxone saves lives. Co-prescribing it to patients at risk for overdose provides a tangible and timely option for care.

Behavioral Health
Disgruntled teen with adult caregiver.
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6 Min Read

Pediatric primary care could be key to solving teen opioid crisis

Overdose deaths up again among 15- to 19-year olds. A new pediatric practice model holds promise as a solution to specialist shortages.

Behavioral Health