Addiction is a disease of the brain and it is undertreated. Medication assisted treatment (MAT) is gaining support and momentum at the national and state levels as a critical tool in the fight against opioid use disorder. MAT involves the use of specific prescription medications to ease withdrawal symptoms and reduce psychological cravings in patients with opioid use disorder. When combined with counseling and other behavioral health services, MAT has been shown to reduce illicit drug use and overdose deaths.
Practitioners must complete training and obtain a waiver from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to provide MAT.
The resources on this page can help you learn more about getting started.
Note: if you are looking for controlled substance CME classes, click here.
General MAT Resources
- UNC Project ECHO - education, training and peer support
- Provider's Clinical Support Network - education, training, clinical resources
- SAMHSA's main MAT page
- SAMHSA's Pocket Guide to MAT of OUD
- NCMS Foundation's Project OBOT (increasing availability of office-based opioid addiction treatment)
- NCDHHS Buprenorphine Guidance
Getting started
- Qualify for a physician buprenorphine waiver (SAMHSA)
- Qualify for a PA or NP buprenorphine waiver (SAMHSA)
- Apply for a buprenorphine waiver (SAMHSA)
Online MAT training opportunities
Free
- MAHEC's Project ECHO® for Chronic Pain (5-Part Video Teleconference Series) Jan 21–Mar 3, 2020 (AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ available per module taken)
- Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder: Waiver Qualifying - 8 Hours Online - UNC AHRQ
- Providers Clinical Support System - Online MAT waiver training (8 hours)
- Providers Clinical Support System SUD 101 Core Curriculum - 22 online modules covering a variety of SUD topics (AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ available per module taken) (Expiration date: 07/26/2022)
In Person MAT CME Opportunities
Low Cost (<$100)
- 2020 Clinical Update and Psychopharmacology Review - SR AHEC (Held in Raleigh) February 27, 2020 8:00 AM - February 28, 2020 5:00 PM (up to 10.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™) Cost: $189.00 (Both Days)
- Treating Pain Safely: An Update for Prescribers - MAHEC March 31, 2020 5:30 PM–8:45 PM (up to 3.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™) Cost: $45.00 (early bird); $60.00
- Treating Pain Safely: An Update for Prescribers - MAHEC October 22, 2020 5:30 PM–8:45 PM (up to 3.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™) Cost: $45.00 (early bird); $60.00