Frequently Asked Questions
NCSTAR Network has developed a list of frequently asked questions about our work. Check below to find answers to your questions or submit a question.
About NCSTAR Network
NC STAR Network serves anyone in NC wanting to learn more about treating addiction. We
work with community health centers, opioid treatment programs, syringe service programs,
mental health agencies, and anyone else wanting to integrate addiction treatment into their
practice. We serve those with established substance use disorder (SUD) treatment
programs and those new to this field.
We do not have 1 physical location. Rather, NC STAR Network consists of three academic
centers: 1) University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; 2) Mountain Area Health Education
Center in Asheville; and 3) Eastern Carolina University in Greenville; plus multiple partner
site organizations across North Carolina including community health centers, health
departments, and other organizations.
NC STAR Network academic centers have subspecialty experience treating addiction and
have physicians board certified in addiction medicine and addiction psychiatry. The
academic centers focus on provision of 1) addiction treatment, 2) education and 3)
organizational support. NCSTAR Network partner sites are organizations with an interest in
treating opioid use disorder (OUD) and other SUDs. The academic centers provide
education and coaching to partner sites.
There is no cost to working with NC STAR Network. We are funded by the North Carolina
Department of Health and Human Services Division of Mental Health, Developmental
Disabilities, and Substance Use
For Providers
We are happy to meet you and learn more about your interests. Please fill out our contact form and someone from NCSTAR Network will contact you.
Anyone in North Carolina with an interest in learning about addiction treatment is eligible to
participate with the NC STAR Network.
An interest in learning more about addiction treatment is all that is needed to join NC STAR
Network. No prior knowledge of addiction treatment is required. Clinicians with experience
providing addiction treatment are also encouraged to join the NC STAR Network.
Yes, you can join as an individual clinician in private practice. NC STAR Network can provide
education and coaching to you individually around OUD and SUD treatment. NC STAR
Network can also help facilitate discussions with your leadership team, colleagues and
opioid abatement county leaders around providing medications for opioid use disorders
(MOUD) in your clinic when and if that makes sense.
Yes, it is okay if only certain providers at your agency are interested in joining. NC STAR
Network can provide education and coaching to the providers who would like to participate.
If additional colleagues would like to join in the future, they are also welcome to attend
didactics and coaching sessions.
It is 100% free to become a partner site with the NCSTAR Network. We are funded through
the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Division of Mental Health,
Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use to provide these services free of charge for
our partner sites.
We assess the needs of each site and tailor an engagement plan based on the site’s
availability and goals. We strive to create a successful partnership with each site that
matches community need.
Yes, the NC STAR Network provides continuing education on a variety of MOUD and other
SUD topics free of charge.
Acronyms
- OBOT –
- Office Based Opioid Treatment
- OTP –
- Opioid Treatment Program
- PSS –
- Peer Support Specialist
- CPSS –
- Certified Peer Support Specialist
- MOUD –
- Medication for Opioid Use Disorder
- SUD –
- Substance Use Disorder
- OUD –
- Opioid Use Disorder
- DHHS –
- Department of Health and Human Services
- CME –
- Continuing Medical Education
- FQHC –
- Federally Qualified Health Center
- DEI –
- Diversity Equity and Inclusion
- DEA –
- Drug Enforcement Administration
- FORE –
- Foundation for Opioid Response Efforts
- SSP –
- Syringe Services Program
- HR –
- Harm Reduction
- CHC –
- Community Health Centers
- NCSTAR –
- North Carolina Substance Treatment and Recovery
- ATLAS –
- Addiction Treatment: Linking Access to Services
- MAHEC –
- Mountain Area Health Education Centers
- ECU –
- East Carolina University
- UNC –
- University of North Carolina
- PDMP –
- Prescription Drug Monitoring Program
- CSRS –
- Controlled Substance Reporting System
- PWUD –
- People Who Use Drugs
- PWID –
- People Who Inject Drugs
Other Terms
- Lived Experience –
- individuals who self-identify as having experienced mental health and/or substance use conditions and their family members.
- Population Equity –
- the attainment of the highest level of health for all people.
- Health Disparity –
- a particular type of health difference that is closely linked with social, economic, and/or environmental disadvantage.
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