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.
As of Dec. 29, 2022, no waiver of any sort is needed to prescribe buprenorphine for opioid use disorder, and there are no limits on the number of patients that can be treated. Clinicians who prescribe buprenorphine are expected to provide care that meets accepted and prevailing standards for the treatment of opioid use disorder. PAs who prescribe buprenorphine should ensure that their supervising physician holds a vaild DEA registration and is familiar with prescribing buprenorphine for opioid use disorder.
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
- 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)
Online and In-Person MAT training opportunities
Free
- Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder: Waiver Qualifying - 8 Hours Online - UNC AHRQ
- Providers Clinical Support System - SUD 101 Core Curriculum
Low Cost (<$100)
- Opioid Use and Opioid Use Disorder 2022-2024: New Strategies to Reduce Barriers to Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) Treatment - Northwest AHEC (September 01, 2022 - September 01, 2024) (1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™) Cost: $10.00
- An Introduction to Opioid Use Disorder for Healthcare Providers (Online Self-Paced Learning) SEAHEC (Up to 3.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits) Cost: $60.00 (Expiration date: 11/06/2023)