Medication-Assisted Treatment and Harm Reduction
Research shows that a combination of medication and therapy can successfully treat substance use disorders, and for some medications can help sustain recovery. Medications are also used to prevent or reduce opioid overdose.
SAMHSA, 2023
Providers can also recommend and prescribe buprenorphine, a medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioids, for adolescents and young adults diagnosed with opioid use disorder (OUD).
Recommendations from the AAP are:
- Prescribe buprenorphine for adolescents and young adults diagnosed with opioid use disorder and connect them to psychosocial treatment, and
- Have a low threshold for prescribing naloxone for adolescents, especially those who have a history of drug overdose, use substances or are prescribed an opioid medication (2022).
Waiver Requirements Have Changed
Previously a waiver (called DATA, or X-Waiver) was required, but as of 2023 it is NO LONGER required to prescribe medications for the treatment of opioids (U.S. Congress Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023). Consult the Substance Use and Mental Health Services Administration webpage about medications for substance use disorders, including buprenorphine. A link is provided in the Provider Resources.
Providers must have a current DEA registration that includes Schedule III authority to prescribe buprenorphine for OUD. Providers applying for DEA registration must have one of the following:
- 8 hours of training from approved organizations on opioid or other substance use disorders;
- Board certification in addiction medicine or addiction psychiatry from the American Board of Medical Specialties, American Board of Addiction Medicine, or the American Osteopathic Association; or
- Graduation within five years and status in good standing from medical, advanced practice nursing, or physician assistant school in the United States including 8 hours of training on opioid or other substance use disorders.
Harm Reduction Resources
Among the AAP recommendations is a call to connect families dealing with OUD to harm reduction resources near them.
The National Harm Reduction Coalition is an access point for people using drugs and their families to find judgement-free resources, including access to naloxone. The resource center provides links to local harm reduction centers, including those in Texas.
Find a link to harm reduction information in the Provider Resources.
Main Menu