Indicator Description
The past decade has seen the development of important medications that can effectively treat addiction, especially when combined with counseling, support, and aftercare. Buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone are used to treat opiate addiction. Naltrexone and acamprosate are often prescribed to those with alcohol dependence.

What to Measure

• The number of physicians and physician group practices authorized to prescribe buprenorphine for opiate addiction.
• Number of Medicaid patients who are prescribed buprenorphine.
• Number of methadone clinics.

Where to Find Local Data

• The online SAMHSA Buprenorphine Physician Locater will give you a count of the physicians who can prescribe the drug in your area.
• Call your state Medicaid office to see if your state covers buprenorphine treatment. If your state does cover it, you may be able to get an estimate of how many people are being treated.
• Use the online Methadone Treatment Locator to find programs in your area.

Interpretation Guidelines

• Measuring the availability and use of these medications can be challenging because prescription rates of most medications are difficult to obtain. This indicator can give you an indirect measure of the availability of certain types of medication-assisted treatment in your state or region and the number of people obtaining this type of treatment.