Buprenorphine for Opioid Use Disorder: A Gold-Standard Treatment That Any DEA-Registered Provider Can Prescribe

Presented by Aaron Newcomb, DO, FAAFP, FASAM

This session reviews opioid use disorder (OUD) as a chronic neurobiological disease and the evidence supporting buprenorphine as a standard-of-care treatment. It highlights buprenorphine’s role in reducing morbidity and mortality and reviews guideline recommendations that support individualized, long-term harm-reduction approaches to care. Common misconceptions about buprenorphine, often rooted in stigma, are also addressed, including concerns about ongoing substance use, misuse, and diversion.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify opioid addiction as a neurobiological disease process and not a matter of simple moral failure.
• Recognize that buprenorphine treatment is a well-established standard of care for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) and any provider with DEA registration can prescribe it.
• Understand that buprenorphine treatment, like methadone, is recommended for pregnant patients with OUD and that tapering medication is contrary to evidence-based medicine and national recommendations like those from the ACOG.
• Recognize how stigma, often based on unfounded fears of buprenorphine abuse and diversion, undermines treatment access and further perpetuates the opioid epidemic.

This CME activity meets Illinois state requirements for safe opioid prescribing and federal training requirements for opioid safety.

The AAFP has reviewed Buprenorphine for Opioid Use Disorder: A Gold-Standard Treatment That Any DEA-Registered Provider Can Prescribe and deemed it acceptable for up to 1.00 Live AAFP Prescribed credit(s). Term of Approval is from 10/28/2026 to 10/28/2026. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.