How to secure buy-in for medication-assisted treatment: Tips from an expert

Maureen Fitzgerald
Editor, NIATx


The APT Foundation in New Haven, CT, provides substance use disorder treatment and recovery services to nearly 8,000 adults. APT began to offer methadone treatment in 1971 and today, its  medication-assisted treatment (MAT) program also includes buprenorphine and extended release naltrexone.

Lynn Madden,  President and CEO of the APT Foundation, told us about the organization's open access to treatment policy in one of the first posts on this blog: No appointment necessary. In this less than two-minute video, Dr. Madden shares two strategies that organizations can use to secure buy-in for MAT:
1) Sharing information on best practices and
2) Starting small with a pilot test, also known known as a rapid-cycle test or PDSA Cycle in the NIATx model




Looking for the latest information on best practices for MAT?

For anyone interested in learning more about MAT, a great place to find up-to-date information is SAMHSA.  SAMHSA offers a variety of resources in MAT, but you can get started with the following: 


From the ATTC Network:

  • Taking Action to Address Opioid Misuse: a portal to information, resources, and training materials produced by the ATTC Network.  Visit this page to find links to the Network's online courses as well as webinars, toolkits and other resources. 

And from NIATx:

Does your organization offer MAT?  How did you secure buy-in from treatment staff, patients, family members, or the community?  Share your strategy in the comments section below.

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