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    Document: Mini Bulletin: Opioid Pharmacotherapy for Young People

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    If you work in the youth services sector, you may come across young people (aged 12-25) who use opioids and may be dependent – and you might be wondering what treatment looks like for them.

    Treatment can include pharmacotherapy.

    As opioid dependency and treatment is more common in older age groups1, those working in the youth services space may be less familiar with pharmacotherapy as a treatment option.

    This guide provides an overview of opioid pharmacotherapy, including:

    • how it works
    • pathways to accessing it
    • barriers to treatment.

    This guide is designed to inform anyone working in the youth sector, and it will also be useful to community members interested in understanding opioid pharmacotherapy.

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    What is pharmacotherapy?

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    Medications used in opioid pharmacotherapy

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    How does opioid pharmacotherapy help people?

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    Barriers to access

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    Pharmacotherapy help and support

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    Last updated: 08 Nov 2023