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)
- Find an experienced supervisor/mentor
Online MAT training opportunities
Free
- Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder: Waiver Qualifying - 8 Hours Online - UNC AHRQ
- MAHEC Project ECHO® for Medication-Assisted Treatment (5-Part Live Webinar Series) Oct 12–Dec 7, 2021 (AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ available per module taken)
- Providers Clinical Support System - Online MAT waiver training (8 hours) (Expiration date: 11/30/2021))
- 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)
Low Cost (<$100)
- Introduction to Medication-Assisted Treatment / Medication for Opioid Use Disorder September 23, 2021 6:00 PM–7:00 PM (1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™) Cost: $25.00/$40.00
- Treating Pain Safely: 2021 Online Update for Prescribers for Safe Opioid Prescribing Dec 31, 2021 from 4:00 PM–5:00 PM (up to 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™) Cost: $25.00 (Expiration date: 02/01/2023)