For Physicians: MOUD into Primary and Other Care Settings
As a physician, you provide essential care to improve the health and build trusted relationships with your patients. This trust positions you to make a significant impact in treating substance use disorders (SUD) in your clinical setting and helping your patients start and stay in treatment.
According to SAMHSA’s 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, about 1 in 6 Americans ages 12 and older reported having an SUD in the past year. In addition, an estimated 4.8 million people had an opioid use disorder (OUD), and 27.9 people had an alcohol use disorder (AUD).
Physicians in primary care, family practices, community health centers, and other non-specialty settings — who often see their patients on a more frequent basis — can play a critical role in diagnosing and treating SUD and providing the support necessary for people to achieve their recovery goals. Chances are, you are already treating patients with other chronic illness in your practice who would benefit from these essential services.
There are various pathways to recovery. The use of Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), including buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone, is one component of an evidence-based care plan that also includes counseling, behavioral therapies, and medical and social services to best meet the needs of each individual.
Integrating MOUD into Your Practice
With the elimination of the DATA-Waiver (X-Waiver), where state law allows, physicians in a variety of care settings who hold a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registration with Schedule II-V authority can now prescribe buprenorphine for the treatment of OUD. This change expands the number of physicians who can integrate these evidence-based services into their practices and provide coordinated care along with their patient’s other medical needs.
Visit Training Requirements (MATE Act) Resources for more information about training. If you have questions about requirements in your state, contact your state licensing board or local DEA office.
Explore and identify the MOUD protocols and processes that best suit your type of practice. Tailor them to meet the unique needs of your patients and save lives.
To effectively integrate MOUD into your practice, it is crucial to understand and address common barriers and misconceptions that may get in the way of treating patients with SUD. The following table summarizes these barriers and provides approaches to overcome them, ensuring that all your patients receive nonjudgmental, patient-centered, and responsive care.
| Barrier/Misconception | Approach | Resource |
| Lack of Confidence in Treatment Efficacy | Enhance confidence by learning more about SUD and MOUD. | |
| Need additional knowledge and support | Learn through peer mentoring or by asking questions from other practitioners who are providing services in other care settings. | |
| Insufficient Knowledge and Training | Engage in continuous education and training programs from SAMHSA and PCSS. | |
| Lack of Staff Buy-in | Conduct regular training and discussions to engage all team members and create a supportive environment. | |
| Time Constraints | Streamline workflows, integrate universal screening, and use efficient documentation tools. | |
| Regulatory Barriers | Stay informed about regulatory changes and seek guidance from SAMHSA resources. | |
| Misunderstanding the Nature of SUDs and MOUD | Debunk myths using resources from credible organizations. |
The Agency for Health Care Research and Quality (AHRQ) Integration Academy’s Medications for Opioid Use Disorder Playbook, is a practical guide for providing MOUD and immediate care for patients with OUD in primary care and other ambulatory care settings.
This interactive, web-based product has the latest guidance, tools, resources, tips, and examples that address key aspects of MOUD implementation. The Playbook will help you find your own path for implementation by applying knowledge about successful approaches and navigating possible barriers.
Breaking Down Barriers to Treatment
Resources to help remove barriers to treatment in your practice.
Practitioner Training and Resources
View training materials and resources for all practitioners to address key aspects of MOUD implementation.
Practitioner Champion Initiative
You can help to expand access to MOUD and create a greater awareness of the effectiveness of these medications. However, barriers to increasing availability of MOUD remain, including stigma and hesitation from practitioners to integrate it into their practice.
Practitioner Champion Videos
Learn from Practitioner Champions who have integrated SUD and MOUD services into their practices for years on how they integrated, the benefits, and dispelling stigma within their practice.