Disclaimer for Health Care Providers

The recommendations in this guideline represent the view of the provincial guideline committee, arrived at after careful consideration of the available scientific evidence and external expert peer review. When exercising clinical judgment in the treatment of opioid use disorder, health care professionals are expected to take this guideline fully into account, alongside the individual needs, preferences, and values of patients and their families, and in light of their duties to adhere to the fundamental principles and values as outlined in the Canadian Medical Association Code of Ethics, especially compassion, beneficence, non-maleficence, respect for persons, justice and accountability, as well as the required standards for good clinical practice of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC or the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) and any other relevant governing bodies. The application of the recommendations in this guideline does not override the responsibility of health care professionals to make decisions appropriate to the circumstances of an individual patient, in consultation with that patient and their guardian(s) or family members, and, when appropriate, external experts (e.g., specialty consultation). Nothing in this guideline should be interpreted in a way that would be inconsistent with compliance with those duties.

Legal Disclaimer

While the individuals and groups involved in the production of this document have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this treatment guideline, please note that the information is provided “as is” and that the Ministry of Health (MoH), Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions (MMHA),  and the BCCSU make no representation or warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, as to the accuracy of the information or the fitness of the information for any particular use. To the fullest extent possible under applicable law, the MoH, MMHA, and the BCCSU disclaim and will not be bound by any express, implied, or statutory representation or warranty (including, without limitation, representations or warranties of title or non-infringement).

The Guideline is intended to give an understanding of a clinical problem, and outline one or more preferred approaches to the investigation and management of the problem. The Guideline is not intended as a substitute for the advice or professional judgment of a health care professional, nor is it intended to be the only approach to the management of a clinical problem. We cannot respond to patients or patient advocates requesting advice on issues related to medical conditions. If you need medical advice, please contact a health care professional.

Suggested Citation

British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, BC Ministry of Health, and BC Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions. A Guideline for the Clinical Management of Opioid Use Disorder. Published November 2023. Available at: https://www.bccsu.ca/opioid-use-disorder/

Author: British Columbia Centre on Substance Use (BCCSU)

Publisher: British Columbia Centre on Substance Use (BCCSU)

Document Purpose: Clinical guidance

Publication Date: November 2023

Target Audience: Physicians, nurses and nurse practitioners, pharmacists, policy makers, health care administrators, allied health care professionals, and all other clinical and non-clinical personnel with and without specialized training in addiction medicine, who are involved in the care and management of individuals, families, and communities affected by opioid use.

Contact:
British Columbia Centre on Substance Use
400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9
inquiries@bccsu.ubc.ca

The BC Centre on Substance Use (BCCSU) is a provincially networked resource with a mandate to develop, implement and evaluate evidence-based approaches to substance use and addiction. The BCCSU’s focus is on three strategic areas including research and evaluation, education and training, and clinical care guidance. With the support of the province of British Columbia, the BCCSU aims to help establish world leading educational, research and public health, and clinical practices across the spectrum of substance use. Although physically located in Vancouver, the BCCSU is a provincially networked resource for researchers, educators and care providers as well as people who use substances, family advocates, support groups and the recovery community.