Practice Support Update Blog

August 31, 2025: International Overdose Awareness Day

Aug 12, 2025 10:00:00 AM / by Leslie D McDowell, DNP, ANP-BC, RN posted in Primary Care, Pediatrics, opioid use disorder, opioids, naloxone

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From 2000-2023, more than 41,500 North Carolinians lost their lives to a drug overdose. Each day in 2023, 12 North Carolinians died from a drug overdose. Recent year death data is not yet final, but an estimated 3,025 North Carolinians (8 per day) are suspected to have died from an overdose in 2024.

NC Overdose Deaths.6.2025

Overdose does not discriminate.

One important way you can help is to have Naloxone on hand, ensure it is available to your patients and their families, and educate yourself, your staff, and people you care about, how Naloxone saves lives.

A person with a substance use disorder cannot begin recovery if they are not alive!

Who should have Naloxone on hand?

In 2018, United States Surgeon General, Dr. Jerome Adams, issued a public health advisory emphasizing the importance of naloxone in savings lives. In this advisory, he recommended the following groups of people carry naloxone and know how to use it:

  • Individuals taking high doses of opioids as prescribed for the management of chronic pain
  • Individuals taking prescription opioids concurrently with alcohol or sedating medications (i.e. benzodiazepines)
  • Individuals misusing prescription opioids or using illicit opioids such as heroin
  • Individuals with a history of opioid use disorder
  • Individuals completing opioid detoxification
  • Individuals recently discharged from emergency medical care following an opioid overdose
  • Individuals recently released from incarceration with a history of opioid use disorder
  • Family and friends of people who have opioid use disorder
  • Community members who come into contact with people at risk for opioid overdose

Learn more here:

Responding to an Opioid Overdose

Source: https://naloxonesaves-nc.org/safer-use-and-overdose-prevention/what-is-naloxone/

https://naloxonesaves-nc.org/

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Substance Use Disorder: Can patients access treatment at your practice?

Jan 6, 2025 8:00:00 AM / by Practice Support Team posted in Substance Use, alcohol use, opioid use disorder, SAMHSA

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Everyone deserves a path to recovery from substance use disorders, and treatment can be the first step. You can make a difference in the lives of your patients. 

This could be the year you make a new difference in the lives of your patients! Whether your patient is taking a Dry January break from alcohol or working through recovery from substance use disorder long-term, every step forward counts!

Find resources to help better treat and support them: samhsa.gov/medications-substance-use-disorders/provider-support 

 

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Need CME for DEA Registration Renewal?

Jul 10, 2024 11:57:04 AM / by Practice Support Team posted in opioid use disorder, opioids, DEA, Medication assisted treatment

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Online Courses Orange Button - Finger Pushing Button of Black Computer Keyboard. Blurred Background. Closeup View.-1

As you know, federal legislation requires that all practitioners who apply for or renew their DEA registration must attest that they have completed 8 hours of training on the treatment and management of patients with opioid or other substance use disorders (unless practitioners are solely veterinarians).

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DEA-Registered Providers Need Credit Toward MATE Requirement for Renewal?

May 22, 2024 4:30:00 PM / by Practice Support Team posted in Primary Care, opioid use disorder, Medication assisted treatment

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Medical Education concept. Magnifying Glass on Old Paper with Red Vertical Line Background.

Our partners at Area L AHEC are presenting a program that provides 1.5 hours of DEA-MATE content that can be used toward the 8-hour training requirement.

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Opioid Use Disorder Screening and Treatment

May 14, 2024 1:12:00 PM / by Practice Support Team posted in Primary Care, medicare, screening, opioid use disorder, Medicare advantage

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Medicare pays for opioid use disorder (OUD) screenings performed by physicians and non-physician practitioners.  If you diagnose your patient with OUD, they also pay for treatment services.

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Opioid Prescriber Training: Live Webinar May 10, 2024

May 1, 2024 4:23:56 PM / by Leslie D McDowell, DNP, ANP-BC, RN posted in Substance Use, opioid use disorder, opioids, Medication assisted treatment

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Community Forum: Substance Use with Beth Macy

Jun 28, 2023 8:41:27 AM / by Practice Support Team posted in opioid use disorder, opioids

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Burke County Health Department is hosting a Community Forum event on July 12 featuring Beth Macy, the author of Dopesick, recently adapted for the HULU television series with Michael Keaton.

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FDA approves Narcan 4mg nasal spray for OTC use

Apr 4, 2023 8:00:00 AM / by Practice Support Team posted in overdose, opioid use disorder

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On March 29, the FDA approved the first nonprescription, 'over-the-counter' (OTC) naloxone nasal spray, Narcan. Naloxone--a medicine that can reverse an opioid-related overdose--has been shown to be a critical tool to prevent fatal overdoses, connect more people to treatment for substance use disorder, and save lives. 

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No waiver? No problem!

Jan 17, 2023 8:19:00 AM / by Practice Support Team posted in Primary Care, opioid use disorder

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 The Drug Enforcement Administration sent a letter to all registrants to notify them that effective December 29, 2022, Congress eliminated the "DATA-Waiver Program".
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September is Recovery Month

Sep 13, 2022 12:00:00 PM / by Leslie D McDowell, DNP, ANP-BC, RN posted in behavioral health, recovery, alcohol use, opioid use disorder

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Join the Practice Support Team at Northwest AHEC in observing Recovery Month. 

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