Addiction & Substance Use Disorders

Expanding Access to Buprenorphine for Opioid Use Disorder

Speaker(s)

• 

  Arwen Podesta, MD

  Psychiatrist
  Podesta Wellness
  Tulane University Psychiatry Department

The opioid epidemic continues to ravage communities across the country, with many individuals struggling with opioid use disorder (OUD). Medication-assisted therapy (MAT) with buprenorphine has emerged as a gold standard treatment for OUD. However, access to this treatment has been limited due to the requirement of an X-waiver for healthcare providers to prescribe Buprenorphine.

This session will focus on the recent removal of the X-waiver requirement and its implications for psychiatric medical professionals. The session will provide an overview of MAT with buprenorphine, including its efficacy and safety, as well as strategies for initiating and managing treatment. Attendees will gain an understanding of best practices for MAT with buprenorphine and the latest developments in policy that impact their practice.