Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Awareness Month (also known as SUD Treatment Month and SUD Treatment Awareness Month) was launched in January 2025 by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in order to raise awareness on the impacts of SUD, highlight the importance of stigma reduction, and provide support.
SUD is a chronic medical condition in which someone’s reward pathway in their brain is altered and they continue the use of risky substances (opioids, alcohol, etc.) despite negative consequences.
At OPEN, we offer a variety of resources and insight on SUD through different lenses in order to support both providers and people living with SUD through diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.
With our Risky Substance Use and Surgery initiative, we understand that surgical care providers are placed in a unique position within someone’s SUD management. As SUD increases throughout the country, supporting patients through their surgical recovery safely and comfortably is essential. This initiative helps surgical care providers understand the importance of screening for risky substance use, how to screen using a standardized testing tool, interpreting screening results, and acting on a high-risk score.
OPEN’s Medications for Opioid Use Disorder initiative supports that MOUD is the gold standard evidence-based treatment for treating Opioid Use Disorder. We help providers consider what type of medication to start, initiation dosing methods, treatment maintenance, and how to handle a patient’s potential return to use.
Patients can explore our SUD Treatment Access initiative to find several treatment options right in their county. OPEN knows that treatment is not one-size-fits-all and offers a range of evidence-based treatment options available county by county. Whether someone is looking for support groups or peer recovery services, there is plenty to explore.
OPEN’s brand new Substance Use Disorder in Primary Care initiative is designed to support primary care providers caring for patients with SUD. As they see patients everyday for an array of reasons, PCPs are ready to take care of anyone that shows up in their office.
An overarching theme during SUD Awareness Month is the push towards reducing stigma surrounding SUD treatment and meeting people with a sense of kindness and understanding. During this month, it’s important to know it takes all of us to make the world a more supportive place. Remember, our words matter, you never know who might hear.
Visit OPEN’s SUD initiative page to learn more.
