​​Overdose Lifeline (ODL) is a proud member of the Voices for Non-Opioid Choices Coalition based out of Washington D.C. Being a member of the Voices Coalition aligns with our mission to carry the message of HOPE to individuals, families, and communities affected by the disease of addiction.

Opioid use disorder (OUD) frequently begins with a legitimately prescribed pain medication. ODL is not advocating to remove all pain medication we are merely advocating for the opportunity to receive alternatives to a prescription.

Recently, a bipartisan group of members of Congress in both the House and the Senate have introduced the Non-Opioids Prevent Addiction in the Nation Act (“NOPAIN Act”). This important piece of legislation is designed to increase the utilization of non-opioid acute pain management approaches pain by updating outdated reimbursement policies. Currently, limited reimbursement for non-opioid treatments and therapies has limited patient and provider access to these approaches. To address this, the NOPAIN Act would provide better reimbursement for such approaches and give patients and providers a choice in how they manage pain with options that are safe, effective, and non-addictive.

In the context of the opioid addiction epidemic gripping the nation, Voices for Non-Opioid Choices and its partners believe that we must take an all-of-the-above approach to combatting rates of opioid addiction – including by preventing addiction where we can. Part of this approach must include more frequent utilization of non-opioid solutions, such as acupuncture, physical therapy, chiropractic services, mental health support, as well as non-opioid pharmaceutical approaches and medical devices.  All of these approaches have been demonstrated to be effective in managing these patients’ pain more effectively than opioids and minimizing unnecessary levels of exposure to powerful opioids. If enacted, we could prevent millions of Americans from becoming newly persistent opioid users following an acute pain incident.

We hope that you will weigh in with your Members of Congress and express support for the legislation. Join Overdose Lifeline and Voices in supporting this critical effort and let your lawmakers know that you want their support.  Please visit our Action Center here to join the fight and let Congress know that we can prevent opioid addiction before it begins and, to do so, we need to enact the NOPAIN Act.