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Center for Dissemination and Implementation At Stanford (C-DIAS)

Prevention Science & Methodology Group (PSMG) Virtual Grand Rounds

Tuesday, November 18, 2025

12:00 – 1:30 PM CT

Wayne Kepner, PhD, MPH
Stanford University

"Beyond the False Dichotomy": Bridging the MOUD-Mutual Help Group Divide

A significant barrier to addressing the opioid crisis is the "false dichotomy" between two of our most effective strategies; medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and 12-step mutual help groups (MHG). MOUD is the most effective pharmacological treatment to reduce mortality, while MHGs provide invaluable access to peer-based recovery capital. A fragmented system of care exists despite evidence that combining these approaches yields superior outcomes. Facilities offering recovery support services are nearly eight times more likely to exclude MOUD patients, forcing individuals to navigate seemingly incompatible systems where they may be discouraged from MOUD use, increasing risks of treatment discontinuation and overdose.

Please join our PSMG listserv to attend live at https://cepim.northwestern.edu/psmg-membership or you may view any of our past presentations on our archive which are open to all https://cepim.northwestern.edu/psmg-archive