Barriers to implementing MAT.

This presentation examines the variety of barriers that get in the way of implementation of medication-assisted treatments for substance abuse. Barriers can be encountered at every level of treatment, from the client level, to the clinician, organizational, and environmental (regulatory, e.g.) levels. Attitudes of both clinicians and patients when it comes to taking medications to treat substance abuse are a common barrier, with many believing drug addiction should not be treated with a drug, or that abstinence is the only approach. MAT itself can be a barrier, if medications are unavailable, dosage is insufficient, or patients fail to comply.

The presentation ends with a discussion of methods for reducing barriers to MAT, including offering medications at reduced cost, increasing access to medical personnel in your area, and education/training (such as the NIDA/SAMHSA Blending Team Products on buprenorphine or Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC) trainings). Participation in medication trials, such as the Ohio Valley Node’s involvement in the National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network’s buprenorphine studies (CTN-0001 and CTN-0002) can help introduce clinicians and treatment centers to evidence-based practices for MAT, and decrease some of the barriers to implementation in their organizations.

Related protocols: CTN-0001, CTN-0002