Course Description

In this course you will learn the role that Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) plays in the treatment of Opioid Use Disorders and understanding MAT as a part of comprehensive medication-assisted recovery.

The course will include a fundamental understanding of MAT, the types of medication used in treatment, controversy regarding MAT, the myths associated with its use, and how MAT is a critical tool in effective evidence-based treatment of addiction.

Participants will gain understanding of how MAT 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 Overview.pdf

What You Will Learn

At course completion, you will be able to

  • Discuss: Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) and the role MAT plays in treatment of Opioid Use Disorders (OUD)/Opioid Addiction. the three most common MAT medications: methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone.

  • Explain: Why MAT is critical in the fight against OUDs and why it is a model of chronic care management. How each medication works in the brain.

  • Discuss and Dispel: Myths and controversy associated with MAT.

  • Identify: Characteristics of each medication. The type of client each medication may be best for. Other clinical activities to use in conjunction with these medications. Three medications used in MAT.

  • Explain: How MAT fits into larger continuum of professional treatment using the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) principles of effective treatment. Basic laws and regulations surrounding the use of MAT.

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 educational needs of healthcare professionals, students, and the layperson. An individual may pursue individual course CE credits or complete the entire Certificate Program (20 credits).

CE Accreditation Statement:

Purdue University College of Pharmacy designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 2.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Laypersons and all other healthcare providers will receive a Certificate of Participation with appropriate AMA credit designation.

AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ (ACCME) is accepted for many clinical continuing education requirements and many societies and credentialing bodies accept the AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ as an equivalent as long as the topic is relevant to the applicant’s field or discipline.

Release Date:  04/20/2020

Expiration Date:  12/08/2024

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

The Medication-Assisted Treatment Course


"The training was helpful in outlining the difference between the three MOUD medications, when to use each medication in MAT, how to choose the options of medication for SUD, for example a patient being a "candidate for MAT" 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 MAT 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 MAT. However, after taking this course, I realize the flaw in my thinking and look forward to learning more about effective MAT programs and how to best integrate it into my patients care."
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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.

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.

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