Brief Historical Background

The original concept of methadone maintenance to treat opioid use disorder developed from the early research work of Drs. Vincent Dole, Marie Nyswander and Mary Jeanne Kreek at Rockefeller University in the mid-1960s.

 

“An effective pharmacologic intervention had to meet stringent conditions to successfully treat narcotic addiction. It must eliminate the euphoric appeal of heroin and the abstinent symptoms that draw addicts back to drug use; it must be sufficiently free from toxic dysphoric effects that patients will continue with treatment; it must be orally effective, long-acting, medically safe and compatible with normal performance at work and at school with responsible behavior in society.” [3]

 

Methadone treatment expanded quickly in the late 1960s based on the success of their research efforts. In the book, Addicts Who Survive: An Oral History of Narcotic Use in America, 1923-1965, Dr. Dole wrote,

 

“The problem was one of rehabilitating people with a very complicated mixture of social problems on top of a specific medical problem, and that [practitioners] ought to tailor their programs to the kind of problems they were dealing with. The strength of the early programs as designed by Marie Nyswander was in their sensitivity to individual human problems. The stupidity of thinking that just giving methadone to solve a complicated problem seems to me beyond comprehension” [4]

 

In our judgment, Dr. Dole’s comment is especially relevant given current policy considerations in treating opioid use disorder with medications. Dr. Dole’s comment reflects the importance of the assisted part of treatment.

 

In 1972, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published regulations for methadone treatment programs. No formal clinical guidelines were available to operate OTPs until SAMHSA published the above referenced treatment improvement protocol, State Methadone Treatment Guidelines, in 1993.[5]

 

It is important to point out that a damaging and influential series of articles “Methadone, The Deadly Cure” was published by the Sun Sentinel in Florida during June of 1983.[6] A quote from the editor follows:

“the public doesn’t care very much about methadone patients. They don’t enjoy a very good reputation, nor do they get much sympathy.  Indeed, the nationwide program to treat heroin addicts with methadone was not set up with the idea that it was being done to help addicts. It was being touted as a way of protecting society and keeping addicts from committing crimes.”

 

An objective observer could reasonably argue that such stigma, as represented in this quotation, is just as pervasive at present, which is why one of our Association’s recommendations is to develop a long-term national education campaign about the value of medications in the treatment of patients with opioid use disorder.

The importance of this reference from the Sun Sentinel is that it would lay the groundwork among federal legislators to request that the General Accounting Office (GAO) develop a report on this topic. In response, the GAO did publish a report in March 1990 – “Methadone Maintenance – Some Treatment Programs Are Not Effective; Greater Federal Oversight Needed”.[7] This report was sent to Chairman Congressman Charles B. Rangel of the House Select Committee on Narcotics Abuse and Control/House of Representatives and underscored the great disparity of quality care being offered to patients through OTPs, including subtherapeutic dosing and insufficient program services. It also highlighted that the FDA was not fulfilling its responsibilities in regulating the system. The GAO reviewed the practices of twenty-four OTPs operating in eight states. As a result, the House Select Committee on Narcotics Abuse and Control/House of Representatives immediately convened a hearing and was sharply critical of the FDA.

 

Following the release of this report, the FDA commissioned the Institute of Medicine (IOM) to conduct a comprehensive review of federal regulations for methadone treatment programs. The IOM published its report in 1995[8] and recommended that the federal oversight of methadone treatment programs should change from process-oriented regulations to a more patient-centered outcome driven approach. The IOM also concluded “the need exists to maintain certain enforceable requirements in order to prevent substandard or unethical practices that have socially undesirable consequences.”

 

Following the release of the IOM report, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) implemented a strategy to transition federal oversight from the FDA to SAMHSA. After years of interagency federal discussions, SAMHSA would assume the responsibilities of providing oversight to OTPs in 2001[9] through approved accreditation bodies, which continues to the present.

 

 

 

@aatod1984
  • Patient access to OTPs saves lives every day.

AATOD has been working with policymakers and regulatory authorities to increase access to opioid treatment programs (OTPs) though the expansion of mobile vans and Medication Assisted Treatment in correctional facilities in the United States. 

Please support AATOD's mission by making an online donation ➡️ https://bit.ly/3uDOeDC #givingtuesday
  • Lev Facher represented a fair reporting of the current #methadone policy debate that took place at last week’s #STATSummit. 

“Mark Parrino, AATOD’s founder and president, cautioned during the panel that achieving sweeping change might not be so easy. The health system, he argued, is unprepared and even unwilling to make methadone a part of primary care. Potential obstacles, he said, include doctors’ lack of enthusiasm about prescribing methadone; pharmacists’ unwillingness to stock and dispense it; and drug manufacturers’ reluctance to manufacture and distribute it more widely, especially following the lawsuits and criticism many have experienced in the wake of the opioid crisis and the prescription opioid oversupply that accelerated it.” #morethanmedicine #opioidusedisorder #OpposetheMOTAA 

Read More ➡️ bit.ly/3tKb1gy
  • Earn up to 6 LADC & LPC CEU’s at 9th Annual OKATOD Conference, which is convening this Thursday, Oct 12th in Oklahoma City. 

This year, the focus turns to the paramount theme of #harmreduction and its profound role in ushering transformative pathways to #recovery.

Registration is now officially open, and you can secure your tickets promptly ➡️ bit.ly/45l3mm1

For more information, please visit www.okatod.org or send an email to a_rios@oktreatment.com.
  • Join OKATOD, one of AATOD’s state chapters, in Oklahoma City on Oct 12 as they convene their ninth annual OKATOD Conference. This year’s theme is HARM REDUCTION: A TRANSFORMATIVE APPROACH. 

Speakers include Mark Parrino (AATOD President), Maia Szalavitz, Teresa Stephensen, Dr. Larry Lovelace, Angela Harnden, Shajine Blake, and Jason Hall. 

Register ➡️ bit.ly/461CkkG
  • Final Opportunity to Submit Proposals for the #aatod2024 Conference. The submission window will close tonight at 12am ET.

To submit a proposal, please follow the on-screen instructions, bit.ly/3KxQSzU. For questions or additional information regarding the Call for Presentations, please send an email to meetings@aatod.org or call 856-423-3091.

We look forward to receiving your submissions and hope to see you at the conference for what will be the premier conference on the treatment of opioid use disorders in 2024! #morethanmedicine #programnotapill #opioids #OUD #OpioidUseDisorder #submitproposal
  • Today is the Final Day to Submit Proposals for the #aatod2024 conference, 9/21 ➡️ bit.ly/3KxQSzU

The Workshop Committee encourages you to submit proposals on innovative initiatives to enhance patient outcomes, improve program development and administration, promote integration across the continuum of care, and the development of collaborations with organizations outside of the traditional opioid treatment system.

Conference Objectives:
1️⃣Conduct a comprehensive review of the latest evidence addressing the opioid epidemic and its implications for patients, clinicians, administrators, and policy makers by identifying the most effective interventions.
2️⃣Discuss peer to peer approaches in treating opioid use disorder in an effort to improve patient outcomes in health systems, organizations, and communities.
3️⃣Evaluate the gaps in current services for opioid use disorder and develop recommendations to improve the delivery of multidisciplinary care in various populations based upon evidence-based practices.
4️⃣Disseminate a comprehensive plan of innovative services designed to treat emerging needs of patients with opioid use disorder and improve patient outcomes by providing examples of effective methods and how to implement them.
5️⃣Identify effective referral pathways to other health services offering treatment for conditions associated with opioid use disorder addiction and/or recovery by developing partnerships within the community.
  • We are pleased to announce that the deadline for submitting presentations for the #aatod2024 Conference has been extended to Thursday, September 21, 2023.

We encourage all interested parties to take advantage of this opportunity and submit their proposals as soon as possible. We look forward to receiving your proposals and to seeing you in Las Vegas in 2024. 

https://conta.cc/3PiV5ck
  • August 31st is International Overdose Awareness Day 
💜 #IOAD2023 
💜 #NaloxoneSavesLives 
💜 #EndOverdoseNow

Please contact your State Opioid Treatment Authority for locations in your community that distribute naloxone kits —> bit.ly/3qVPOPz. 

 Full Video 🎥 bit.ly/3ElzdYD
  • Research shows methadone maintenance is more effective when it includes counseling—and even more so with medical or psychosocial services, like employment or family assistance. This is a key piece of #MAT for #OUD. More info: https://lnkd.in/ehYFCRvu 
#PNAP #ProgramNotaPill
  • Quick Reminder - Our committee deadline for #aatod2024 Conference related presentations is fast approaching on Monday, September 18th. We are encouraging you to submit your presentations since it will certainly contribute to an information-packed conference event.
Patient access to OTPs saves lives every day.

AATOD has been working with policymakers and regulatory authorities to increase access to opioid treatment programs (OTPs) though the expansion of mobile vans and Medication Assisted Treatment in correctional facilities in the United States. 

Please support AATOD's mission by making an online donation ➡️ https://bit.ly/3uDOeDC #givingtuesday
Patient access to OTPs saves lives every day. AATOD has been working with policymakers and regulatory authorities to increase access to opioid treatment programs (OTPs) though the expansion of mobile vans and Medication Assisted Treatment in correctional facilities in the United States. Please support AATOD's mission by making an online donation ➡️ https://bit.ly/3uDOeDC #givingtuesday
3 days ago
View on Instagram |
1/10
Lev Facher represented a fair reporting of the current #methadone policy debate that took place at last week’s #STATSummit. 

“Mark Parrino, AATOD’s founder and president, cautioned during the panel that achieving sweeping change might not be so easy. The health system, he argued, is unprepared and even unwilling to make methadone a part of primary care. Potential obstacles, he said, include doctors’ lack of enthusiasm about prescribing methadone; pharmacists’ unwillingness to stock and dispense it; and drug manufacturers’ reluctance to manufacture and distribute it more widely, especially following the lawsuits and criticism many have experienced in the wake of the opioid crisis and the prescription opioid oversupply that accelerated it.” #morethanmedicine #opioidusedisorder #OpposetheMOTAA 

Read More ➡️ bit.ly/3tKb1gy
Lev Facher represented a fair reporting of the current #methadone policy debate that took place at last week’s #STATSummit. “Mark Parrino, AATOD’s founder and president, cautioned during the panel that achieving sweeping change might not be so easy. The health system, he argued, is unprepared and even unwilling to make methadone a part of primary care. Potential obstacles, he said, include doctors’ lack of enthusiasm about prescribing methadone; pharmacists’ unwillingness to stock and dispense it; and drug manufacturers’ reluctance to manufacture and distribute it more widely, especially following the lawsuits and criticism many have experienced in the wake of the opioid crisis and the prescription opioid oversupply that accelerated it.” #morethanmedicine #opioidusedisorder #OpposetheMOTAA Read More ➡️ bit.ly/3tKb1gy
1 month ago
View on Instagram |
2/10
Earn up to 6 LADC & LPC CEU’s at 9th Annual OKATOD Conference, which is convening this Thursday, Oct 12th in Oklahoma City. 

This year, the focus turns to the paramount theme of #harmreduction and its profound role in ushering transformative pathways to #recovery.

Registration is now officially open, and you can secure your tickets promptly ➡️ bit.ly/45l3mm1

For more information, please visit www.okatod.org or send an email to a_rios@oktreatment.com.
Earn up to 6 LADC & LPC CEU’s at 9th Annual OKATOD Conference, which is convening this Thursday, Oct 12th in Oklahoma City. 

This year, the focus turns to the paramount theme of #harmreduction and its profound role in ushering transformative pathways to #recovery.

Registration is now officially open, and you can secure your tickets promptly ➡️ bit.ly/45l3mm1

For more information, please visit www.okatod.org or send an email to a_rios@oktreatment.com.
Earn up to 6 LADC & LPC CEU’s at 9th Annual OKATOD Conference, which is convening this Thursday, Oct 12th in Oklahoma City. This year, the focus turns to the paramount theme of #harmreduction and its profound role in ushering transformative pathways to #recovery. Registration is now officially open, and you can secure your tickets promptly ➡️ bit.ly/45l3mm1 For more information, please visit www.okatod.org or send an email to a_rios@oktreatment.com.
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
3/10
Join OKATOD, one of AATOD’s state chapters, in Oklahoma City on Oct 12 as they convene their ninth annual OKATOD Conference. This year’s theme is HARM REDUCTION: A TRANSFORMATIVE APPROACH. 

Speakers include Mark Parrino (AATOD President), Maia Szalavitz, Teresa Stephensen, Dr. Larry Lovelace, Angela Harnden, Shajine Blake, and Jason Hall. 

Register ➡️ bit.ly/461CkkG
Join OKATOD, one of AATOD’s state chapters, in Oklahoma City on Oct 12 as they convene their ninth annual OKATOD Conference. This year’s theme is HARM REDUCTION: A TRANSFORMATIVE APPROACH. Speakers include Mark Parrino (AATOD President), Maia Szalavitz, Teresa Stephensen, Dr. Larry Lovelace, Angela Harnden, Shajine Blake, and Jason Hall. Register ➡️ bit.ly/461CkkG
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
4/10
Final Opportunity to Submit Proposals for the #aatod2024 Conference. The submission window will close tonight at 12am ET. To submit a proposal, please follow the on-screen instructions, bit.ly/3KxQSzU. For questions or additional information regarding the Call for Presentations, please send an email to meetings@aatod.org or call 856-423-3091. We look forward to receiving your submissions and hope to see you at the conference for what will be the premier conference on the treatment of opioid use disorders in 2024! #morethanmedicine #programnotapill #opioids #OUD #OpioidUseDisorder #submitproposal
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
5/10
Today is the Final Day to Submit Proposals for the #aatod2024 conference, 9/21 ➡️ bit.ly/3KxQSzU The Workshop Committee encourages you to submit proposals on innovative initiatives to enhance patient outcomes, improve program development and administration, promote integration across the continuum of care, and the development of collaborations with organizations outside of the traditional opioid treatment system. Conference Objectives: 1️⃣Conduct a comprehensive review of the latest evidence addressing the opioid epidemic and its implications for patients, clinicians, administrators, and policy makers by identifying the most effective interventions. 2️⃣Discuss peer to peer approaches in treating opioid use disorder in an effort to improve patient outcomes in health systems, organizations, and communities. 3️⃣Evaluate the gaps in current services for opioid use disorder and develop recommendations to improve the delivery of multidisciplinary care in various populations based upon evidence-based practices. 4️⃣Disseminate a comprehensive plan of innovative services designed to treat emerging needs of patients with opioid use disorder and improve patient outcomes by providing examples of effective methods and how to implement them. 5️⃣Identify effective referral pathways to other health services offering treatment for conditions associated with opioid use disorder addiction and/or recovery by developing partnerships within the community.
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
6/10
We are pleased to announce that the deadline for submitting presentations for the #aatod2024 Conference has been extended to Thursday, September 21, 2023. We encourage all interested parties to take advantage of this opportunity and submit their proposals as soon as possible. We look forward to receiving your proposals and to seeing you in Las Vegas in 2024. https://conta.cc/3PiV5ck
3 months ago
View on Instagram |
7/10
August 31st is International Overdose Awareness Day 💜 #IOAD2023 💜 #NaloxoneSavesLives 💜 #EndOverdoseNow Please contact your State Opioid Treatment Authority for locations in your community that distribute naloxone kits —> bit.ly/3qVPOPz. Full Video 🎥 bit.ly/3ElzdYD
3 months ago
View on Instagram |
8/10
Research shows methadone maintenance is more effective when it includes counseling—and even more so with medical or psychosocial services, like employment or family assistance. This is a key piece of #MAT for #OUD. More info: https://lnkd.in/ehYFCRvu 
#PNAP #ProgramNotaPill
Research shows methadone maintenance is more effective when it includes counseling—and even more so with medical or psychosocial services, like employment or family assistance. This is a key piece of #MAT for #OUD. More info: https://lnkd.in/ehYFCRvu #PNAP #ProgramNotaPill
3 months ago
View on Instagram |
9/10
Quick Reminder - Our committee deadline for #aatod2024 Conference related presentations is fast approaching on Monday, September 18th. We are encouraging you to submit your presentations since it will certainly contribute to an information-packed conference event.
3 months ago
View on Instagram |
10/10

For this #GIVINGTUESDAY, please consider making a tax-deductible gift to AATOD, so that we can continue to expand access to quality #OUD treatment services, which has been our hallmark since 1984.
DONATE --> http://bit.ly/3uDOeDC
Patient access to #OTPs saves lives every day.

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2024 Conference Las Vegas

2024 Conference

AATOD, Inc.
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New York, New York 10014

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Email : info@aatod.org

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