What is the best method to help patients decrease their use of opioids?

The US Department of Health and Human Services has produced a guide to help health care providers answer this complex question.

The guide includes considerations prior to the decision to taper, recommendations on how to individualize plans according to unique patient needs, a decision-making flowchart, and information on additional options regarding withdrawal or behavioral health.

To learn more, check out October's highlighted article of the month!
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Working Group on Patient-Centered Reduction or Discontinuation of Long-term Opioid Analgesics. (2019). HHS guide for clinicians on the appropriate dosage reduction or discontinuation of long-term opioid analgesics. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

For a summary of the guide and context about its release, you can also read this FierceHealthcare article:
Finnegan, J. (2019, October 10). HHS offers guide to help clinicians taper patients off opioids. FierceHealthcare.

10/15/2019