All providers can help to lower overdose deaths by providing treatment

• Methadone is a daily oral medication that reduces or eliminates cravings for other opioids and reduces the risk of overdose.
• It can only be dispensed from specialized opioid treatment programs. 

• Buprenorphine attaches to these receptors strongly, limiting other opioids from having the same effect if used at the same time.  
• It is available as an oral medication (tablet or film) or as an injection.
• Unlike methadone, it can be prescribed in primary care settings and dispensed from retail pharmacies.  
• There are many resources to help providers to become more comfortable prescribing buprenorphine. As of 2023, providers are no longer required to do special training and certification (formerly known as the ‘x’ waiver) to prescribe buprenorphine.  

• Fentanyl test strips allow people who use drugs to find out if fentanyl is present in their drugs. You can request fentanyl test strips for your organization by filling out this form.
• Avoid using drugs alone. When people use drugs with other people, there are others present who can help recognize and reverse an overdose. Tell your patients’ about the Never Use Alone hotline at 877-696-1996. People can call this phone number while using drugs. The operator on the line will call for emergency help if the caller stops responding.  
• Sterile needles reduce the risk of infections, such as HIV, hepatitis, skin or blood infections. Refer your patients to syringe access programs.
• Being on medications for opioid use disorder lowers the risk of dying. You can help by prescribing these medications or referring your patients to those who can.
• Naloxone is a life-saving medication used to reverse opioid overdoses. You can prescribe it for your patients and teach patients and their families how to use it. It is also available without a prescription at retail pharmacies.

DPH staff are available for assessments, connections, referrals, or general support navigating mental health and substance use care, including benefits enrollment.  

Call the Behavioral Health Access Line 24/7 at 888-246-3333  

Or  

Visit the Behavioral Health Access Center  
1380 Howard St., 1st floor   
M-F 8am-7pm  
Sat-Sun 9am-4pm  

Learn more  about our mental health and substance use services.  

The California Bridge Program offers 24/7 access to support providers treating patients for substance use disorders. Any provider seeking support for treating patients may use these lines.  

California Substance Use Hotline: 
CA providers only, service of CA Poison Control System & National Clinician Consultation Center 
24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 
Focused on providing advice for acute care buprenorphine starts 
(844) 326-2626

National Clinician Consultation Center Substance Use Warmline 
M-F 6am-5pm PT. Voicemail 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 
Specialty addiction medicine consultation 
(855) 300-3595 

The California Bridge Program also publishes many helpful online resources to guide treatment of opioid use disorder and address frequently asked questions.