The waiting area of an emergency department (ED) might be an unpleasant experience for anyone with a medical condition. But waiting for care while experiencing symptoms of opioid withdrawal can be even worse.  

Rhode Island’s Buprenorphine Hotline - 401-606-5456  - bypasses the ED waiting room altogether and connects patients to treatment and local recovery support services.  

Through this 24/7 hotline, people with moderate to severe opioid use disorder can talk with a healthcare provider over the phone, get evaluated for care, and start on buprenorphine, a medication for opioid use disorder. 

Our guest expert this week is Dr. Caroline Wunsch, a general internist who helped establish the state’s first Buprenorphine Hotline. Other founding members of the hotline include Dr. Elizabeth Samuels, Dr. Rachel Wightman, and Dr. Seth Clark.  “We want people to be able to reach us when they’re at the peak of their motivation. In some situations, it’s a life or death call," Dr. Wunsch explains. 

How is this hotline transforming access to treatment in the state? Download this week’s episode to find out.