Behavioral Health Responses to Medetomidine & Xylazine

Supporting Radical Behavioral Health Responses to Medetomidine & Xylazine

Medetomidine and Xylazine’s introduction into the illicit substance supply has upended the Behavioral Health field. How we have historically treated clients living with substance use disorder (SUD) has fallen short in engaging and supporting clients who have become ensnared by the current supply. 

This presentation explores the challenges and opportunities that providers face when engaging in radical and untraditional methods of engagement and care provision in the face of these new polysubstances.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Name the current radical and untraditional efforts needed to engage clients who are affected by medetomidine and xylazine.
• Identify what is attracting, repelling, and discomforting about these strategies and what can be done to address these feelings.
• Integrate strategies of radical harm reduction into their practice to support and safeguard clients who are using medetomidine and xylazine.