Inclusion is not an endorsement

The Maryland Department of Health provides these resources for informational purposes. Linking to a document, organization, vendor, or tool is not an endorsement, recommendation, certification, or approval by the Maryland Department of Health or the State of Maryland. Materials published by other organizations reflect the views of those organizations, and external sites are not maintained by the Department.

Start Here: ASAM Core Competencies and Technical Assistance​

Statewide expectations for hospital-based substance use disorder (SUD)​ care, and the free consultation service available to any Maryland prescriber.

• Maryland Addiction Consultation Service (MACS)University of Maryland School of Medicine, funded by MDH Behavioral Health AdministrationFree consultation, technical assistance, and Project ECHO for any Maryland provider treating substance use disorder or chronic pain. Call 1-855-337-6227 or email [email protected]. Consultants respond within one business day, regardless of a patient’s insurance status.

Implementation Guide for Hospital and Emergency Department Substance Use Disorder Care (PDF)​​American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), April 2026​

The purpose of this guide is to: 

• ​​Delineate the services and competencies needed to meet SUD care standards for general hospitals 
• Describe care delivery models such as addiction consult services (ACS) and bridge clinics that can increase adoption of these care standards 
• Provide implementation guidance to hospital administrators and clinician leaders on how to effectively implement baseline standards of care for patients with SUD in hospital and ED settings
  

Evidence-based models for building or strengthening OUD care across the emergency department, inpatient units, and discharge.

• Effective Strategies for Hospitals Responding to the Opioid CrisisInstitute for Healthcare Improvement and the Grayken Center for Addiction at Boston Medical Center, 2019Five system-level strategies covering prevention, screening, treatment, and community engagement, with hospital case examples and cost-savings data. Referenced throughout the Maryland best practices toolkit for ED screening, addiction consult services, and provider training.
• Addressing Opioid Use Disorder in Emergency Departments: Expert Panel Findings (PDF)National Council for Mental Wellbeing, 2021Expert panel guidance on ED-initiated buprenorphine, peer recovery roles and outcomes, and clinician attitudes toward buprenorphine prescribing.
• Bridge to Care Toolkit (PDF)American Hospital Association / HRET, 2025Inpatient addiction consult services, discharge planning, linkage to outpatient care, and frameworks for leadership commitment and continuous evaluation.
• Levels of Care for Baltimore City Hospitals Responding to the Opioid EpidemicBaltimore City Health Department, 2018The three-level framework used to assess hospital capacity for screening, MOUD initiation, naloxone distribution, peer recovery services, and responsible prescribing. Level 1 represents the most comprehensive response.
• Levels of Care implementation guide (PDF)Baltimore City Health Department, 2021Detailed hospital certification criteria by level, including ED screening requirements, buprenorphine capacity, naloxone prescribing and dispensing, and peer recovery staffing.

Practical guidance for naloxone distribution, warm handoffs, and connecting patients to community-based care.

• Maryland Linkage to Comprehensive Care Toolkit (PDF)Maryland, 2023Seven principles covering harm reduction checklists, trauma-informed care, stigma reduction, integrating peers into linkage, and addressing social determinants of health.
• Overdose Prevention​ in Hospitals Toolkit (PDF)The Mosaic Group, 2024Guidance on bringing harm reduction principles into hospital settings, including low-barrier, non-punitive care and linkage to syringe services programs.
• NACCHO hospital overdose response resource (PDF)National Association of County and City Health Officials, 2024Guidance from NACCHO supporting local health department and hospital collaboration on overdose response.
• Maryland Benefits One Application (PDF)Office of Governor Wes Moore, 2025Statewide launch of a unified application allowing patients to apply for Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, WIC, and energy assistance in a single mobile-friendly process — useful at discharge when addressing social needs.