Addressing the Opioid Crisis

Overview

The opioid public health emergency is affecting Americans of all ages; racial, ethnic, sexual, and gender minorities; income classes; and geographic areas. However, older adults and persons with disabilities are among the groups most impacted by the opioid crisis because they often use prescription opioids to cope with acute pain, such as after a surgery, or ongoing pain from chronic conditions.

Through the aging and disability networks, ACL is helping address the opioid crisis by:

• Reaching people impacted by this crisis in the community (i.e., older adults, people with disabilities, caregivers, grandparents raising grandchildren), and connecting them with resources
• Offering resources to professionals and volunteers touching the lives of older people, people with disabilities, and caregivers
• Generating new knowledge on the impact of the opioid crisis on people with disabilities and older adults, as well as their families
• Aligning partnerships within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and with other federal agencies to increase access to effective prevention and treatment.

Resources

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), ACL, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the National Council on Aging (NCOA), and others offer a range of information and resources for providers and families: 

Training and Toolkits

• Opioid Epidemic Practical Toolkit: Helping Faith and Community Leaders Bring Hope and Healing to Our Communities (HHS)
• Tip 29: Substance Use Disorder Treatment for People with Physical and Cognitive Disabilities (SAMHSA)
• Substance Use Disorders in People with Physical and Sensory Disabilities (SAMHSA)
• Resources to Reduce Opioid Misuse (CMS)
• Opioid Overdose Crisis Resource (NIDA)

Factsheets and Issue Briefs

• Opioids and Older Adults (ACL)
• The Opioid Public Health Emergency and Older Adults (ACL)
• Opioid and TBI Grantee Brief (ACL)
• Opioid Use Disorder and People with Disabilities - Fact Sheet – Medication Treatment (Brandeis University)
• Peer Support for People with Substance Use Disorder (Brandeis University)
• The Intersection between Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Opioid Use: Recommendations for Substance Use Treatment Providers (Brandeis University)
• Combating the Opioid Crisis (HHS)
• CMS Roadmap: Fighting the Opioid Crisis (CMS)
• Data Analysis Brief: National Trends in High-dose Chronic Opioid Utilization among Dually Eligible and Medicare-only Beneficiaries (CMS)
• Implementing Evidence-Based Programs to Address Chronic Pain (NCOA)

Reports and Publications

• A Day in the Life of Older Adults: Substance Use Facts (SAMHSA)
• The Role of Nonpharmacological Approaches to Pain Management (NASEM)

Stakeholder Input

• Summary of ACL Stakeholder Discussion About the Opioid Public Health Emergency (2018)
• Summary of Responses from a Request for Information: People with Disabilities and Opioid Use Disorder (2018)

Grants

• Elder Justice Innovation Grants - Enhancing APS Approaches to Cases Involving Opioids and Substance Use Disorders (2022 funding opportunity)
• State Grants to Enhance Adult Protective Services (Awarded in 2020)
• ACL Grants Awarded for Research on Opioid Use Disorder in People with Disabilities (Awarded 2018)

Archived Event Materials

• Ask Dr. Kate Lorig About the Role of Chronic Disease Self-Management Education in the Opioid Epidemic (NCOA)
• Improving Opioid Misuse Prevention Literacy between Older Adults and Health Care Providers [Recording, Slides] (SAMHSA) 
• Promising Practices for Meeting the Needs of Dually Eligible Older Adults with Substance Use Disorders (Resources for Integrated Care)

Related Links

• HHS 5 Point Strategy: Opioid Public Health Emergency
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Opioids
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: Opioids
• Healthy Pregnancy, Healthy Baby Fact Sheets - This series of four fact sheets emphasizes the importance of continuing a mother's treatment for opioid use disorder throughout pregnancy. The series includes information on OUD and pregnancy, OUD treatment, neonatal abstinence syndrome, and considerations to address before hospital discharges.