CareLink Of Georgia

Linking Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) patients to optimal patient care

The safest Option for Treating Opioid Use Disorder is Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) Treatment.

MEDICAL CARE

MEDICATION

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)–approved medications to treat opioid use disorder are effective and save lives. Long-term retention on medication for OUD is associated with improved outcomes.

Methadone, buprenorphine, and extended-release naltrexone are the three medications currently approved by the FDAfor treating opioid use disorder (OUD), by reducing the negative effects of withdrawal and cravings without producing the euphoria that the original drug of abuse caused.

By law in the United States, outpatient methadone treatment can only be administered to people enrolled in stateand federally certified medication for opioid use disorder treatment programs, historically called methadone clinics.

Opioid misuse accounts for $35 billion in health care costs, 14.8 billion in criminal justice costs, and ninety-two billion in lost productivity annually. In 2020 alone, over 70,000 people died of opioid overdose. Some studies suggest increasing access to evidence-based treatments for opioid substance abuse would result in $20,000 to $100,000 savings per person in a lifetime.

INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING

RECOVERY SUPPORT

Current Projects

Carelink MOUD Providers

Harm Reduction Programs Free Naloxone

Medications for Opioid use Disorder (MOUD) Workforce Development and Training

Community Outreach programs “Faith Leaders on a Mission”

Community Outreach Programs Stakeholder Education Emory University School of Nursing Immersion Hub

Advanced Practice Provider Integrated Substance Use Disorder Training Program

Our Mission

CareLink exists to provide a connection to medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) treatment services for patients that have a barrier to services. Additionally, CareLink educates vital stakeholders, to include community partners and treatment providers about Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPS).

Opioid Treatment Programs are Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) licensed and accredited healthcare professional facilities that provide treatment of Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) with FDA approved Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD).

People with OUD are less likely to die when they are in long-term treatment with methadone or buprenorphine than when they are untreated. MOUD treatment is associated with an estimated mortality reduction of approximately 50 percent among people with OUD.

MOUD treatment is also associated with lower rates of other opioid use, improved social functioning, decreased injection drug use, reduced HIV transmission risk behaviors, reduced risk of HIV diagnosis, reduced risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, and better quality of life compared to individuals with OUD not in treatment. Methadone is also associated with reduced levels of criminality for individuals with OUD.

Testimonials

They believe in helping families and making sure we are in recovery and the medicine works.

Thanks for allowing me on the grant. It was good to have since I was the only one working when my wife and I came into treatment.

I am thankful for the Grant, it has been really helpful to me to get back on my feet.

I was having some financial issues and the opportunity for the Grant came up and I was floored that the clinic offered it to me as I was in need. I am so thankful and appreciative.