NIDAMED

CTN Dissemination Initiative

As of December 29, 2022, clinicians are no longer required to obtain a DATA waiver (X-waiver) to prescribe buprenorphine to treat opioid use disorder. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website for more information about the removal of the DATA waiver requirement.
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About the CTN DI Initiative

The CTN Dissemination Initiative aims to reduce the gap that exists between the publication of research on treatment of substance use disorders and implementation in clinical practice. It incorporates collaboration among clinicians, researchers, and experienced trainers to develop user-friendly tools and products to facilitate the adoption of research-based interventions into clinical settings. Explore this page for more information about the different components of the CTN Dissemination Initiative.

For more information about NIDA's recent dissemination efforts related to adolescent health visit:  National Institute on Drug Abuse: Dissemination of Scientific Knowledge to Improve Adolescent Health.

Clinical Trials Netowrk logo

The CTN Dissemination Initiative is a component of the Clinical Trials Network within NIDA and works in collaboration with NIDAMED to develop products and disseminate those products to clinicians.

TAPS: Tobacco, Alcohol, prescription medication and other Substance Use Tool

Products and Materials

In the addiction field, research is primarily translated into clinical practice through products and materials. We work with NIDA researchers and other experts to develop resources based on NIDA-supported research.

Screening

Health Professions Education

Reducing the Risks of Fentanyl in the U.S.

Image capture of the video: Reducing the Risks of Fentanyl in the U.S.
Watch the video

This video was created in collaboration with staff from the University of Pennsylvania Center for Addiction Medicine and Policy in response to rising rates of drug overdose deaths involving opioids.  It also stresses that everyone can be a first responder by carrying naloxone. An infographic is available in English and Spanish.

Medication Treatment Options for Methamphetamine Use Disorder

A New Treatment For Methamphetamine Use Disorder Fact Sheet

Despite the precipitous increase in methamphetamine overdose deaths in the United States over the past five years, effective medication treatment options for methamphetamine use disorder have not been available. This CME podcast describes the personal and societal burdens of methamphetamine use disorder in the United States, discusses the findings from the Accelerated Development of Additive Pharmacotherapy Treatment for Methamphetamine Disorder (ADAPT-2) clinical trial, and stresses the need for safe and effective pharmacological treatment options for methamphetamine use disorder.

To learn more, please view this fact sheet.

Resources for Emergency Departments

Products & Materials from the Blending Initiative

Blending Teams, consisting of NIDA researchers, treatment practitioners, trainers from SAMHSA’s ATTC Network, NIDA staff, and subject matter and communications experts, work closely together to develop training curricula, manuals, tools, and other resource materials based on NIDA-supported research.

Meetings and Conferences

An important aspect of the CTN Dissemination Initiative involves Meetings and Conferences, where addiction researchers and treatment providers collaborate and exchange knowledge. These events may offer the following:

  • CME/CE credit for various health professionals
  • Skill-building workshops
  • Lectures for audiences ranging from addiction professionals to emergency department physicians
  • Opportunities to meet leadership and members of key organizations
  • Partnership and collaboration opportunities
  • Resource development

Mentored Training Awards

Background on the Program:

CTN Mentor Facilitated Training Program fact sheet

  • The Mentor-Facilitated Training Awards (MFT) program was developed to enhance the trainee healthcare professional’s expertise in substance use disorder dissemination activities. Through the mentorship program, awardees are funded for a year to develop a project which addresses gaps in evidence-based knowledge in addiction and treatment of substance use disorders through a mentored experience. To learn more, please see our video on the program.
  • The Mentor-Facilitated Training Awards (MFT) is a top priority of the NIDA CTN Dissemination Initiative in establishing partnerships with professional organizations serving the addiction treatment communities. The MFT program has partnered with several health care organizations since 2012, which include: American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine (SAHM), American College of Emergency Physicians/Emergency Medicine Foundation (ACEP/EMF), Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM), American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA), American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), and Society of General Internal Medicine (SGIM). 

Awardee Activities:

  • Awardees are provided opportunities to acquire evidence-based expertise and understanding in the treatment of substance use disorders and are supported in identifying and addressing innovative ways to educate and provide treatment. Previous Awardees have selected topics that focus on the treatment, screening, and prevention of SUDs involving (but not limited to) alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and opioids.
  • Awardees within the MFT program, disseminate their projects at their respective professional society annual meetings and often publish in a scientific journal. Many of the dissemination projects have resulted in the development of highly impactful training series, workshop curricula, and innovative technological tools/resources. The awardees also present their findings to peers cross collaboratively, within respective fields, and within their local communities.