Training to Treat Opioid Use Disorder in Adolescents

In 2019, approximately 87,000 adolescents (12-17 years) and 515,000 young adults (18-25 years) were estimated to have an opioid use disorder in the past year, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Effective treatments—both medications and substance use disorder counseling—are available but underused. Pediatricians can play an important role in providing access to needed treatment by providing medication in general medical settings.

The AAP has partnered with the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry to provide several training options for pediatricians interested in learning more about these medications.

Options for training include (all at no cost):

• Online Training
  • Take this online course and receive CME credit upon completion.
• Half Live Virtual/Half Online
  • In this option, participants will first meet virtually live with faculty for 4 hours, then participants can complete additional training online. Submit your group training request via our Contact Us form.
• Live Virtual Training
  • If interested in holding the full 8-hour course virtually, please submit your group training request using our Contact Us form.
• In-Person Training
  • Requests for in-person training are currently on hold.

* The federal requirement for practitioners to submit a Notice of Intent (have a waiver) to prescribe medications, like buprenorphine, for the treatment of opioid use disorder is no longer required. Click here for more information. However, a new training requirement for DEA registration renewal will be coming into effect in June. Check back for more information.

Funding for this initiative was made possible (in part) by grant no. 1H79TI081968 from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the US Government.

AAP Addiction Treatment in Pediatric Settings ECHO  

Browse a collection of video recordings to address opioid use for pediatric health professionals.

*Please note: This curriculum was developed in reference to the buprenorphine waiver. As noted above, as of December 29, 2022, the federal requirement for practitioners to submit a Notice of Intent (have a waiver) to prescribe medications, like buprenorphine, for the treatment of opioid use disorder is no longer required. These recordings DO NOT qualify for CME or MOC credit at this time.

In 2022, the AAP hosted an Addiction Treatment in Pediatric Settings ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) to increase knowledge and capacity regarding treating substance use disorders in the medical home setting, with a focus on opioid use disorder for pediatric health care professionals. 

This curriculum was developed using the ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) model^TM. More information about Project ECHO may be found at www.aap.org/projectecho. 

Funding for this initiative was made possible (in part) by grant no. 1H79TI085588 from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Additional Resources

• Resource Collection from the AAP related to the prevention, intervention and treatment of OUD in adolescents and young adults.
• Opioid Response Network provides tailored education, training, and educational resources utilizing evidence-based practices at no cost.
• Practice-Based Guidelines:Buprenorphine in the Age of Fentanyl