providers
Practical Support for Treating Substance Use Disorder
Why This Matters to Your Practice
Nationally, only about 18 percent of people with opioid use disorder receive first-line medication treatment like buprenorphine or methadone — often because the physician workforce available to them was never equipped to offer it. In DC, fatal opioid overdoses fell 34 percent from 2023 to 2024, but that progress hasn't reached everyone equally: Black men, particularly older men with long histories of substance use, still account for roughly 71 percent of fatal overdoses in the District. Closing that gap depends less on new mandates and more on physicians across every specialty — not just addiction medicine — having the practical training and tools to act.
Renewing Your DEA Registration in 2026?
Under the MATE Act, most DEA registrants must attest to completing 8 hours of training on treating and managing patients with opioid or other substance use disorders — a one-time requirement, satisfied by several of the free courses listed below. Recent graduates of a qualifying curriculum (within about 5 years) may be exempt, but must still attest to that status on the DEA renewal form.
Not sure if you're affected? Check your DEA renewal notice, or see the DEA Diversion Control Division's MATE Act FAQ.
Build Your Skills: Free & Paid Training
EPIC maintains a full list of free and paid continuing education options for physicians and prescribers — see our Physician Education & Training Resources guide for the complete directory, including cost, format, and credit for each. A few places to start:
PCSS-MOUD (free): SAMHSA-funded training and 1:1 clinical mentoring on identifying and treating opioid use disorder, including an 8-hour MOUD bundle that satisfies the MATE Act requirement. pcssnow.org
CDC TRAIN (free): Continuing-education course on assessing and addressing OUD — search course number WB4664R at CDC TRAIN.
ASAM Fundamentals of Addiction Medicine (paid, ~$695–$895): A 40-hour, case-based CME program covering screening, treatment, and referral for physicians with limited addiction training. elearning.asam.org
AAAP Addictions and Their Treatment (paid, ~$500–$600): Board-prep-level training covering co-occurring disorders, pain and addiction, and pharmacology. aaap.org/education
Clinical Tools & Local Systems
DC Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP)
All DC-licensed prescribers and dispensers are required to register with the PDMP. It allows you to review a patient's controlled-substance prescription history before prescribing, and includes NarxCare risk-scoring tools. Register or log in at districtofcolumbia.pmpaware.net, or contact DC Health's PDMP office at (855) 932-4767 / doh.pdmp@dc.gov. Free PDMP-related continuing education is available at dchealth.dc.gov/dcrx.
2022 CDC Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Pain
CDC's current guideline offers 12 recommendations across four areas — whether to initiate opioids, selecting opioids and dosages, duration and follow-up, and assessing risk — intended as flexible standards, not rigid rules. Available at cdc.gov/overdose-prevention/hcp/clinical-guidance/.
ASAM National Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder
The American Society of Addiction Medicine's practice guideline covers assessment, MOUD selection, and treatment planning across settings, and is a standard clinical reference for prescribers newer to OUD treatment.
Finding an OTP or Buprenorphine Prescriber
To refer a patient to a methadone-based Opioid Treatment Program (OTP), search SAMHSA's OTP directory at dpt2.samhsa.gov/treatment. To find a buprenorphine-waivered practitioner for a warm hand-off, use SAMHSA's practitioner locator at samhsa.gov/medication-assisted-treatment/practitioner-program-data/treatment-practitioner-locator.
Fast Referral for a Higher Level of Care
DC's Assessment and Referral Center (ARC) provides same-day assessment and referral to a certified treatment provider, matched to a patient's needs. Direct patients to the ARC (77 P Street NE, Monday–Friday, 7 am–6 pm) or the DBH Access Helpline at 1-888-793-4357, available 24/7. See our Local Treatment & Support Resources guide for the full directory of DC providers.
Connect With EPIC
EPIC offers technical assistance and curriculum support for physicians, residency programs, and practices looking to build MOUD capacity — including help identifying the right training pathway, arranging a group naloxone or MOUD training session, or talking through a specific clinical or systems challenge. Reach out to start a conversation:
Dr. Shareefah Al'Uqdah
Grant Director, EPIC Program
Dr. Royyanna Young
Education Director, EPIC Program
Your Neighborhood Clinic — EPIC Program
2007 Vermont Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 202-643-8012
Website: yourneighborhoodclinic.org
EPIC Program — a project of Your Neighborhood Clinic, Washington, DC. Supported by the DC Department of Behavioral Health; views expressed do not necessarily represent DBH, the Government of the District of Columbia, or the federal government.