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, obtain a waiver from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and register with the state Department of Health and Human Services to lawfully provide MAT to patients.
The resources on this page can help you learn more about getting started with MAT.
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)
Getting started
- Qualify for a physician buprenorphine waiver (SAMHSA)
- Qualify for a PA or NP buprenorphine waiver (SAMHSA)
- Apply for a buprenorphine waiver (SAMHSA)
- Register as a buprenorphine prescriber with NCDHHS
Online MAT training opportunities
Free
- Pharmacological Considerations with Opioid Dependence - Buprenorphine and Methadone in Pregnancy Northwest AHEC (Expiration date: 9/14/19)
- MAHEC Project ECHO® for Medication-Assisted Treatment (5-Part Video Teleconference Series) (10/22-12/17/19)
- 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)
September
- Providers’ Clinical Support System: Buprenorphine Office-Based Treatment for Opioid Use Disorders, The “Half and Half” Course - MAHEC (up to 8.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™) Sept. 27, 2019; 1:30 PM–6:00 PM Fee: $35.00
- Recovery Within Reach: Building Team Expertise in Office-Based Opioid Treatment (OBOT) Sept. 27, 2019; 1:45 PM–6:00 PM Cost: $35.00