Medication‐Assisted Program

Consistent with the Drug Addiction Treatment Act of 2000 (DATA 2000) and the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016 (CARA 2016), only licensed and qualified Physicians, Physician Assistants (PAs) and Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners (ARNPs) may prescribe Buprenorphine for maintenance treatment or detoxification treatment for opioid abuse.

Qualified providers must meet one or more of these criteria:

• Holds a subspecialty board certification in Addiction Psychiatry (ABPN) or ASAM certification or American Osteopathic Association certification
• Has completed 8 hours (Physicians) or 24 hours (PAs and ARNPs) of buprenorphine training provided by ASAM, AAAP, AMA, AOA, APA (or other organizations which may be designated by Department of HHS)
• Has been an Investigator on clinical trial(s) for approval of Schedule III, IV, or V narcotic opioid for detox/maintenance
• Has other training deemed adequate by State medical licensing board or Secretary of HHS
• Must affirm capacity to refer patients for appropriate counseling and ancillary services needed to treat opioid addiction
• Must register with SAMHSA and DEA.
• Must be privileged to provide MAT services through MLCHC’s governing board.

MAT Nurse Care Manager requirements:

• Hold WA RN license
• Complete mandated training
• MAT Nurse Care Manager responsibilities
• Oversee MAT providers panel
• Monitor compliance with regulatory requirements
• Partner with patients

How does Suboxone work?

• Suboxone contains two medications: Buprenorphine and Naltrexone (Naloxone)
• Buprenorphine‐ is a partial agonist or stimulator of the opioid receptor
• Binds opioid receptor and suppresses cravings and withdrawal symptoms
• Since it is only a partial agonist, it only stimulates the opioid receptors a little, avoiding the strong effects like Vicodin, oxycodone, heroin, methadone, etc.
• Remains on opioid receptors for days blocking the effect of other opioids like pain killers or heroin
• It has a ceiling effect of how much it suppresses breathing
• Naltrexone is an antagonist or blocker of the opioid receptor which reduces misuse

 Goals of our Suboxone MAT Program:

1. Save lives
2. Reduce risk
3. Improve function
4. Stabilize the dopamine in the brain to allow for effective therapy and reworking of neural circuits