Treating Opioid Use Disorder

Opioid addiction and overdoses affect increasing numbers of Americans and present a significant public health problem. Primary care providers can play an important role in identifying and treating patients who suffer from addiction. A variety of treatment options are available for addiction to drugs and alcohol. Medication-assisted treatment is highly effective in treating opioid addiction, and preventing overdoses

If you have patients in need of specialized treatment, visit or call the 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week mental health helpline, 988. Patients with opioid addiction can be successfully treated with buprenorphine or methadone. 

Training Resource

NYC DOHMH’s Buprenorphine Training and Technical Assistance Initiative provides free buprenorphine waiver training and technical assistance for physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants practicing in NYC. Buprenorphine is an effective medication for treatment of opioid use disorders, and can be prescribed in office-based primary care settings. Physicians are required to complete an 8-hour training in order to apply for a waiver; nurse practitioners and physician assistants must take 24 hours of training (inclusive of the 8-hour training) in order to apply. This course fulfills the 8-hour training requirement. The half-and-half format will include approximately 4 hours of online training due prior to approximately 4 hours of in-person training. For more information, including dates of upcoming trainings, please email buprenorphine@health.nyc.gov.

Provider Guides

Brochures and Posters

Buprenorphine pamphlet for patients:

Buprenorphine waiting room/exam room poster:

Also available by calling 311.

Additional Resources