The Northeast Coalition evolved into the national organization, known originally as the American Methadone Treatment Association, Inc. (AMTA), to better coordinate the efforts of methadone treatment providers throughout the United States. When the organization went national, we expanded our goals to include organizing the treatment community throughout the United States. The Board of Directors approved our current name in 2001 to better embrace all forms of opioid pharmacotherapy.

Currently, we remain committed to these ideals as well as to upholding the standards of quality comprehensive treatment first developed by Drs. Marie Nyswander and Vincent Dole in the mid-1960's as reflected in our Ethical Canon. The American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence will continue to work with the federal agencies and state substance abuse authorities concerning opioid treatment policy and developing opioid replacement pharmacotherapies. Our organization will also continue to sponsor national opioid treatment conferences, which will convene in different regions of the country.