(02) Evidence-Based Addiction Treatment

What is this strategy?

Support evidence-based addiction treatment consistent with the American Society of Addiction Medicine’s national practice guidelines for the treatment of opioid use disorder through Opioid Treatment Programs, qualified providers of Office-Based Opioid Treatment, Federally Qualified Health Centers, treatment offered in conjunction with justice system programs, or other community-based programs offering evidence-based addiction treatment. This may include partial or full capital expenditures for facilities that offer evidence-based treatment for OUD. This includes Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) with any medication approved for this purpose by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Why evidence-based addiction treatment?

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is a highly effective clinical treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD). The use of FDA-approved medications for OUD have been shown to have multiple benefits including reducing cravings/withdrawal symptoms, overdose deaths, and the transmission of communicable diseases, while improving an individual’s quality of life. MAT and other evidence-based treatments, when provided in a supportive, non-coercive, and non-judgmental manner, empower people who use drugs and assist them in reducing the harms of their use of drugs. For more information, contact opioidsettlement@ncacc.org or opioidsettlement@dhhs.nc.gov.