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.
There are now two pathways to begin prescribing. Practitioners may either complete extensive training (8-24 hours), obtain a waiver from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and treat up to 100 patients. Or, per rule changes approved in April 2021, a prescriber may obtain a waiver without completing training and limit treatment to no more than 30 patients. These changes were implemented to encourage more clinicians to offer MAT to patients.
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
- Governor’s Institute Opioid Treatment Program Medical Provider Essentials Video Series (19 video series)
- Governor’s Institute Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) (4 video series)
- 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)
- Apply for a buprenorphine waiver (SAMHSA)
- Qualify for a PA or NP buprenorphine waiver (SAMHSA)
- Find an experienced supervisor/mentor
Online MAT training opportunities
Free
- Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder: Waiver Qualifying - 8 Hours Online - UNC AHRQ
- Providers Clinical Support System Behavioral Interventions for MAT: Improving Outcomes (AMA PRA Category 1.5 Credits™ available) (Expiration date: 7/19/2022)
- 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)
- Providers Clinical Support System - Online MAT waiver training (8 hours) (Expiration date: 11/30/2024)
Low Cost (<$100)
- Introduction to Medication-Assisted Treatment / Medication for Opioid Use Disorder - MAHEC (August 9, 2022) (up to 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™) Cost: $25.00
- Introduction to Medication-Assisted Treatment / Medication for Opioid Use Disorder - MAHEC (August 31, 2022) (up to 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™) Cost: $25.00
- Introduction to Medication-Assisted Treatment / Medication for Opioid Use Disorder - MAHEC (November 8, 2022) (up to 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™) Cost: $25.00
- Introduction to Medication-Assisted Treatment / Medication for Opioid Use Disorder - MAHEC (March 7, 2023) (up to 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™) Cost: $25.00
In Person MAT CME Opportunities
Low Cost (<$100)
- Introduction to Medication-Assisted Treatment / Medication for Opioid Use Disorder - MAHEC (August 9, 2022) (up to 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™) Cost: $25.00
- Introduction to Medication-Assisted Treatment / Medication for Opioid Use Disorder - MAHEC (November 8, 2022) (up to 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™) Cost: $25.00
- Introduction to Medication-Assisted Treatment / Medication for Opioid Use Disorder - MAHEC (March 7, 2023) (up to 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™) Cost: $25.00