Addressing Substance Use Disorder in Massachusetts
The Issue
Substance use disorder (SUD), particularly opioid use disorder (OUD), remains a significant public health challenge in Massachusetts.
Physicians across the Commonwealth are seeing:
- Rising overdose deaths driven by fentanyl and an increasingly dangerous drug supply
- Persistent barriers to treatment and recovery services
- Significant disparities in access to care and health outcomes
- Growing behavioral health needs among patients and communities
Without expanded access to evidence-based treatment, overdose deaths and health disparities will continue to rise.
MMS Position
The Massachusetts Medical Society recognizes substance use disorder as a chronic, treatable medical condition that requires comprehensive, evidence-based care.
MMS advocates for:
- Expanding access to addiction treatment and recovery services
- Reducing barriers to medications for opioid use disorder
- Supporting overdose prevention and harm reduction strategies
- Advancing equitable access to care for all patients
Goal: Reduce overdose deaths and improve access to treatment, recovery, and long-term support.
MMS Advocacy
MMS is advancing policies that expand treatment access and improve outcomes for patients with substance use disorder.
Expanding Access to Treatment
MMS supports policies that:
- Improve access to addiction treatment services
- Expand access to medications for opioid use disorder
- Reduce insurance and cost barriers to care
- Support telehealth access for addiction treatment
Preventing Overdose and Improving Recovery
MMS advocates for:
- Evidence-based overdose prevention strategies
- Community-based recovery supports
- Treatment-focused approaches that prioritize care over incarceration
- Programs that address disparities in addiction treatment and recovery
Why This Matters to Physicians
Substance use disorder affects patients across every specialty and care setting.
Physicians are:
- Caring for patients at risk of overdose and addiction-related complications
- Navigating barriers to treatment and recovery services
- Addressing disparities that affect patient outcomes
- Working to provide evidence-based care in increasingly complex circumstances
Improving access to treatment and recovery services helps physicians save lives, improve patient outcomes, and strengthen community health.
Take Action
Support Substance Use Disorder Advocacy
Join MMS advocacy efforts to expand access to treatment, reduce overdose deaths, and improve outcomes for patients across Massachusetts.
Become an MMS member and strengthen the physician
voice advocating for evidence-based addiction care and recovery services.
