Best Practices for Responding to In-Hospital Substance Use

CTAAfter you listen, please complete SAMHSA’s required Training and Technical Assistance (TTA) GPRA Post-Event Form. This form will gather satisfaction with the event to help improve future episodes.Substance use during hospitalization is common, yet many healthcare systems lack clear, evidence-based approaches to respond effectively. Punitive responses can worsen outcomes, increase stigma, and lead to early discharge. This episode explores emerging best practices for addressing in-hospital substance use in ways that improve patient safety, strengthen trust, and support recovery. Listeners will learn practical strategies for proactive communication and collaborative approaches that center patient care while supporting healthcare teams navigating these complex situations.Timestamps:[00:00:48] Why hospitals often struggle to respond to in-hospital substance use[00:04:07] Case study: A harmful security-led response inside the hospital[00:06:38] How stigma and poor communication damaged patient trust[00:09:02] A patient-centred response that led to successful treatment completion[00:11:43] Research into hospital policies around in-hospital substance use[00:18:14] Delphi consensus study and best practice recommendations[00:24:41] Where hospitals are falling short in substance use disorder education[00:30:11] Practical bedside communication strategies for clinicians[00:41:07] Managing staff concerns around methadone, opioids, and overdose risk[00:48:32] Future directions for hospital policy, implementation, and addiction care researchLinksAMERSAASAM Practice PearlsIn-hospital Substance Use Policies: An Opportunity to Advance Equity, Reduce Stigma, and Offer Evidence-based Addiction Care - PMCRecommendations for Addressing In-Hospital Substance Use From a National Delphi Consensus Process | Health Policy | JAMA Network OpenHospital policy as a harm reduction intervention for people who use drugs | IJDPEthical Considerations in the Care of Hospitalized Patients with Opioid Use and Injection Drug Use Disorders | JHMIllicit drug use while admitted to hospital: Patient and health care provider perspectives | PLoS ONEFind us online at amersa.org/amersa-podcast Frontiers in Substance Use & Stigma & Substance Use are sponsored by Provider’s Clinical Support System – Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (PCSS-MOUD). Learn more about PCSS-MOUD at pcssnow.org.Funding for this initiative was made possible by cooperative agreement no. 1H79TI086770 from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.Substance Use Across the Lifespan and Innovation in Action are sponsored by the Opioid Response Network (ORN). Learn more about ORN at opioidresponsenetwork.org.Funding for this initiative was made possible (in part) by grant no. 1H79TI088037 from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.