Notice October 25, 2024: The St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD) phone system has returned to normal operations. Community members can contact SMCHD at 301-475-4330.

Buprenorphine

Buprenorphine is one type of medication used for the treatment of opioid addiction. Opioid addiction is a chronic disease, like heart disease or diabetes. A chronic disease is a medical condition for life. It cannot be cured, but it can be managed. A person with an addiction can regain a healthy, productive life.

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

MAT is treatment for addiction that includes the use of medication along with counseling and other support. Taking medication for opioid addiction is like taking medication to control heart disease or diabetes. It is NOT the same as substituting one addictive drug for another. Used properly, Buprenorphine medication does NOT create a new addiction.

Proper dosing

The pill is taken once a day. Over time, the dosing interval may stay at once a day or change to every other day. 

Benefits for Patients

  • The patient is unlikely to overdose on buprenorphine if taken properly. 
  • Buprenorphine is long acting; therefore reducing the dosage to every other day is possible.
  • Doctors can prescribe buprenorphine in take-home doses. 

Benefits for Physicians

  • Provides options other than narcotic maintenance
  • MAT is billable through insurance, Medicare (in 2020), and Medicaid
  • A means of helping the community by reducing the chances for fatal opioid overdoses

Practitioner Waiver

Physicians may apply for a practitioner waiver to prescribe or dispense buprenorphine under the Drug Addiction Treatment Act of 2000 (DATA 2000). 

Physician Requirements 

  • Have a valid medical license and an active DEA number
  • Complete an 8-hour training through the Providers Clinical Support System on Medication Assisted Treatment (online and in-person options available)
  • Complete the online SAMHSA Notice of Intent Form prior to initial dispensing or prescribing of opioid treatment
  • Submit a copy of your training Certificate of Completion to SAMHSA

Click here to visit the SAMHSA website for application forms, process and contact information and additional details for NPs, PAs, CNSs, CRNAs, and CNMs. 

Local Provider Outreach

Our Behavioral Health Team has been reaching out to local healthcare providers to discuss medication-assisted treatment and to provide information on the waiver to practice opioid dependency treatment with buprenorphine.

For more information, please contact:
The Local Behavioral Health Authority
St. Mary’s County Health Department
Email: smchd.lbha@maryland.gov
Phone: (301) 475-4330

Upcoming Training

Free CME Session: Understanding the Opioid Epidemic

Thursday, March 12, 2020 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm in Leonardtown, Maryland. Dinner & Networking, Presentation & Q&A – Understand the provider’s role in the treatment of opioid use disorder. Click here for more information and to register.

Free Waiver Training For Buprenorphine Medication-Assisted Treatment

Thursday, April 9, 2020 from 8:30 am – 1:15 pm at SMCHD in Leonardtown. This training course provides an overview of the FDA-approved medication buprenorphine, prescribed for the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD). Click here for more information and to register.

Free MACS TeleECHO Clinics

Collaborative medical education through web-based didactic presentations and case-based learning. Every 3rd Wednesday of the month, beginning on March 18, 2020 and ending November 18, 2020 from 12:30 – 1:30 pm. Click here for more information and to register.

Additional Resources

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