Self-Paced Video-Based Learning

Highly Recommended by 88% of the People Who Have Taken the Course

Course Description

In this course, you will explore the role that medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD)—historically referred to as Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)—play in the effective treatment and recovery process for individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD).

The course provides a foundational understanding of MOUD, including the types of FDA-approved medications used in treatment, common myths and controversies surrounding their use, and the evidence supporting MOUD as a critical component of addiction care. We’ll also discuss the ongoing shift from MAT to MOUD in clinical and public health settings—and what it means for providers, patients, and policy.

Participants will gain understanding of how medication fits into the overall treatment continuum for persons with opioid use disorder, identify three medications that are proven to be effective in treatment, learn the basic characteristics of the medication, identify which patients may be best suited for each medication, and identify other psychotherapies and activities that enhance a comprehensive addiction treatment program.

Download Overview: Medication-Assisted Treatment MAT MOUD.pdf

What You Will Learn

  • Discuss medication and the role it plays in treatment of Opioid Use Disorders (OUD)/Opioid Addiction.

  • Explain why medication is critical in the fight against OUDs and why it is a model of chronic care management.

  • Explain how each medication works in the brain.

  • Discuss the three most common medications: methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone.

  • Discuss myths and controversy associated with medication for opioid use disorder.

  • Identify the three medications used for opioid use disorder, the characteristics of each medication, and the type of client each medication may be best for.

  • Identify other clinical activities to use in conjunction with these medications.

  • Explain how medication fits into larger continuum of professional treatment using the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) principles of effective treatment.

  • Explain basic laws and regulations surrounding the use of medication for opioid use disorder.

Course CE Credits and Certificate Program

In partnership with Purdue University College of Pharmacy, Office of Continuing Education, Overdose Lifeline has developed layperson and clinician CE courses and Certificate Program on Addiction / Substance Use Disorder with an Opioid Specialization.

The course and the certificate program are structured to support the continuing educational needs of pharmacists. An individual may pursue individual course CE credits or complete the entire Certificate Program (20 credits).

Pharmacist Accreditation Statement:

Pharmacist Accreditation Statement - Purdue University College of Pharmacy is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. This is a knowledge based, continuing education activity of Purdue University, an equal access/equal opportunity institution.

Universal Activity Number (UAN): 0018-9999-25-023-H01-P, 3.0 contact hours (.30 CEU).

Release Date:  04/18/2025

Expiration Date: 04/18/2017

How to Receive CE Credit(s)

During course registration you will be prompted to provide your NABP eprofile # and your MMDD of birth (example: September 5th would be 0905). These two numbers, when combined, create your unique ID for credits to be directly reported to CPE Monitor. If you are unsure of your NABP e-profile number, please go to CPE Monitor to learn more: https://nabp.pharmacy/cpe-monitor-service/

Upon completion of this course you will receive a Statement of Participation Certificate* which is an acknowledgement of completion and is NOT VALID for CE reporting. 

Verification of credits earned will be emailed within 6 weeks and CE Credit will be reported through CPE Monitor, also within 6 weeks.

*The Statement of Participation will be referenced on-screen at the end of the course and your certificate will be delivered to the email address associated with this course's registration.

Take Online Courses from Anywhere

Completing when it is convenient for you.

  • Video-based Online Learning

  • Highly Rated: 4.72 Rating. 88% Would Recommend.

  • On Your Schedule — At Your Own Pace

  • Progress is Tracked So You Can Pick Up Where You Left Off

  • Gain Knowledge or Fulfill Educational or Professional Requirements

  • Certificate Delivered Upon Successful Course Completion

What People Are Saying

At the completion of this course, you will be able to


"The training was helpful in outlining the difference between the three MOUD medications, when to use each medication, how to choose the options of medication for SUD, for example a patient being a "candidate for medication" does not qualify them for only buprenorphine."

"One of the most important information that I learned as the result of this course would be how to describe the mechanism of action to patients in a way for them to understand when deciding which treatment may be best for them."

"The course did an excellent job in explaining how medication is a very viable treatment option for the ongoing opioid crisis, and should be potentially advocated more publicly and broader information should be extended to the public regarding the advantages and availability to seek help from OUD."

"Prior to starting this course, I had several of those myths in my mind as a reason to be against medication. However, after taking this course, I realize the flaw in my thinking and look forward to learning more about effective medication for opioid use disorder programs and how to best integrate it into my patients care."
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Additional Course Notes

  • The course may be accessed from a computer, tablet or mobile device. Internet access is required as are speakers for audio.

  • The following web browsers are supported: Desktop - Firefox, Safari, Chrome, and Edge. Note the course platform does not support Internet Explorer. Mobile - iOS Safari: 11 and up, Chrome, Samsung Internet.

  • The course will remain available in your account for six months - allowing you to complete the course at your own pace and return to the course later for review of key concepts.

  • All faculty, staff and reviewers involved in the planning, review or presentation of continuing education activities provided by Purdue University College of Pharmacy are required to disclose to the audience any commercial financial affiliations with ineligible companies related to the content of the presentation or enduring material. All planning committee members, writers, staff and reviewers of Overdose Lifeline and Purdue University have no relationships to disclose.

Course Author and Reviewer

Dean Babcock MSW, LCSW, LCAC received his Bachelor of Science degree in Public Affairs and Master of Social Work degree from Indiana University. He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Licensed Clinical Addiction Counselor and has spent his professional career working in health care and mental health care systems in the Indianapolis area.

In 2018 he retired from his role as Associate Vice President at Eskenazi Health, Midtown Community Mental Health Center where he directed both administrative and clinical operations of a comprehensive system of care for persons having mental illness and addictive disorders. His clinical specialty is in the field of addiction treatment, program development, clinical consultation, and driving evidence-based practice implementation in large medical systems.

In addition to his leadership role at Eskenazi, he served as the Site Principal Investigator in the National Institute on Drug Abuse Clinical Trials Network. This collaborative national project develops innovative clinical intervention research to expand the field of addiction treatment.

Dean is a published author on numerous research publications and gives lectures and trainings both locally and nationally related to evidence-based practices in addiction treatment.

He has served on a wide variety of local and national committees, projects and boards, and enjoys helping the public understand the nature of addiction and its treatment. He is the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions for the work he has done in helping the community in which he lives.

Subject matter expert, R. Andrew Chambers, M.D., an associate professor of psychiatry, as well as director of the Addiction Psychiatry Fellowship Program and director of the Lab for Translational Neuroscience of Dual Diagnosis & Development at Indiana University Health.

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