Abstract
Opiate use disorder has become an epidemic in the United States and many parts of the world. Historically, addiction treatment has relied on a substance abuse model that is segmented and rarely integrated. Although substance abuse treatment centers have become more integrated over time, opiate use disorder and chronic pain bring unique challenges outside of most addictions. For example, most patients with opiate use disorder are challenged with chronic pain which falls more in line with a chronic illness population. Southwest Healing & Wellness is a unique clinic that was created when a behavioral health clinic and traditional pain clinic realized the need to actively involve each other in a collaborative, integrated model as emotional, relational, mental, spiritual and physical components of opiate use disorder and chronic pain are addressed. This workshop will explore the challenges of opiate use disorder and chronic pain, the benefits and best practices of working with opiate use disorder in an integrated setting, and the challenges of integrating medical and behavioral health models. Both administrative and clinical recommendations and insights will be made.