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Services

Didactic Trainings

NC STAR Network continuously assesses the needs of partner sites, develops & delivers content for both clinicians and support staff. These trainings are reviewed and maintained regularly to accommodate the fast changing pace of addiction medicine.

NCSTAR offers a variety of didactic trainings to meet the needs of our partner sites. The Foundation Series was developed by NCSTAR Faculty and includes 10 topics available for in person or virtual formats depending on partner site needs. Our didactic trainings are designed to accommodate not just providers but any partner site staff who interacts with those with substance use disorder.

NCSTAR extends appreciation to MAHEC’s Department of Continuing Professional Development for their essential role in the administration of our continuing education programs.

Each didactic is a 1 hour session available for in-person or virtual delivery for CME credit. Sessions may be applied toward the addiction medicine training requirement set forth by the DEA.

DEA MATE Requirement

The Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act, part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, took effect in June 2023. The MATE Act 8 hour training requirement applies to new or renewing DEA registrants.


Available Didactics

CLINICAL TRACK

Fundamentals of Buprenorphine Prescribing: A Patient Centered ApproachThis session will prepare community health care professionals to incorporate treatment of opioid use disorders into standard of care using a patient-centered low barrier approach.
 
Cases will be used to illustrate scenarios in which prescribers might identify opportunities to initiate, continue or get additional support for treatment.
Common Clinical Scenarios: Selecting MOUD This session reviews basic tenets of opioid use disorder treatments in the ambulatory setting, what low barrier access means, patient specific factors for consideration when choosing medications for opioid use disorder, and provision of care through a harm reduction lens.
Common Clinical Scenarios: Co-Occurring Substance Use and ​Behavioral Health DisordersThis session reviews basic tenets of opioid use disorder treatments in the ambulatory setting and common behavioral health presentations in those with OUD and other co-occurring substance use disorders. A focus on whole person care within a primary care setting is used to frame OUD treatment approach with a harm reduction lens. 
Common Clinical Scenarios: Patient Centered CareUsing patient case scenarios commonly encountered in primary care and/or other ambulatory care settings, participants will learn how to approach OUD treatment through the lens of harm reduction and patient-centered care. Common patient / client behaviors are discussed to demonstrate how shared decision making can result in longer treatment engagement and improved adherence.
Urine Drug Testing: Purposes and PitfallsThis session will review the historical development of urine drug testing in judicial, employment and clinical spaces along with an overview of drug testing types. Key points for incorporating a nonjudgemental approach to urine drug testing interpretation and patient / client discussions are highlighted using national clinical guidelines.
Using Long Acting Injections (LAIs) for Opioid Use Disorder This session will review FDA approved long-acting injections (LAIs) indicated for the management of opioid use disorder: buprenorphine and naltrexone, their safety risks and preferential use in OUD. Several case examples are included to demonstrate utility and appropriateness of each.
Virtual or in-person didactic delivery available.

Substance Use Stigma Track

The One Liner



This interactive session focuses on the beginning of any clinical note: the patient / client one-line description. These case-based scenarios explore the relationship between demographic factors and societal drivers of health and frame how personal perspectives can influence clinical decision-making. Participants will discuss strategies for using patient information in an effective way to support clear communication and build trust.
Perception vs. Reality of AddictionThis session will review the development of substance use disorders, impact of societal health drivers, and common misconceptions regarding substance use disorders and treatments. Attendees are introduced to the reward pathway, dopamine and conceptualizing addiction as chronic disease.
Defining Stigma for Those with Substance Use DisorderThis session will review various forms of stigma and real-world consequences in a healthcare setting. An overview of harm reduction principles and ideas for incorporation into a clinical setting provides the audience with actionable changes to reduce stigma.
In-person didactic delivery preferred for substance use stigma track sessions.

What People Are Saying About NCSTAR Network

“For a recent college graduate entering the healthcare workforce, the NCSTAR Network has been an ideal introduction to the vital work around addiction and recovery. The team’s passion and expertise have contributed strongly to my awareness of substance use treatment and MOUD to make me a more capable provider during medical school and beyond. And having spent my entire life throughout North Carolina, I feel close to many of our state’s communities and have a strong appreciation for NCSTAR’s wide range of support.”

James Hardy
MAHEC

“As a Peer Support Specialist and having lived experience in recovery, I continue to see the need for our services and the importance of addiction treatment across the state of North Carolina. Within the NC STAR Network, I have had the amazing opportunity to work with multiple disciplines on how to best assist the state in educating the necessity of medication for opioid use disorder. It has been an honor to watch this Network grow and is extremely impactful as to why I continue with my passion to do this work.”

Chrissy Dunn , CPSS
UNC

“Starting Point Rural Harm Reduction Collective was a brand-new organization when approached to work with the NC STAR Network 2 years ago. In these 2 years we have built a pathway for our participants to have access to treatment, learn about other programs/resources we never would have thought of, and most of all made friends in the community that truly want to help people recover from whatever ails them. The help, guidance and patience of the STAR Network has helped this young organization thrive from staff to participants and we cannot
thank them enough.”

Ashley
Starting Point Rural Harm Reduction Collective

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