Focus on Fentanyl – Potent Synthetic Opioid Use Disorder Requires a Different Approach

Fentanyl and other potent synthetic opioids are prevalent in the drug supply leading to increased risk for overdose as well as rapid tolerance and dependence. These facts are known to people who use drugs (PWUD) and those who treat PWUD, but treatment providers have not uniformly adapted their approach to care in response. This talk will explain what potent synthetic opioids are and how they differ from other “traditional” opioids, like heroin and oxycodone. It will also describe innovative approaches to care for people using synthetic opioids during detoxification and treatment with medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD).

Learning Objectives:

• Compare natural, semisynthetic, and potent synthetic opioids from the perspective of PWUD and treatment providers.
• Describe 2 detoxification strategies to improve relief of withdrawal symptoms for people using synthetic opioids.
• Explain 2 ways that MOUD induction, titration and dose stabilization may differ for people using potent synthetic opioids compared to those using “traditional” opioids.

1.5 NBCC Credits

Presented by Pete Vernig, PhD, MBA