American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence

The American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence (AATOD) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and enhancing the quality of medication-assisted treatment of opioid use disorder. It represents over 1,200 Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs) across the United States and works closely with national and international partners to improve access to evidence-based opioid addiction treatment.

History

AATOD was founded in 1984 as the Northeast Regional Methadone Treatment Coalition. It evolved into the American Methadone Treatment Association (AMTA) in 1989 and eventually changed its name to AATOD in 2001 to reflect the broader range of medications used in opioid dependence treatment[4].

Activities and Partnerships

AATOD hosts nationally recognized conferences and training sessions, advancing policies and best practices for opioid treatment. It collaborates with federal and state agencies, such as the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), as well as global organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)[3][4].

Strategic Planning and Policy Initiatives

AATOD developed its first strategic five-year plan in 2001, which has been updated several times. The plan focuses on policy initiatives to expand access to opioid treatment programs (OTPs), improve patient care, and work with organizations like the Legal Action Center to enhance treatment access within correctional facilities[2][4].

Key Contributions

AATOD has contributed significantly to the development of clinical guidelines for opioid treatment, including the first Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) for SAMHSA in 1993 and the Best Practice Guidelines with the DEA in 2000[3][4]. It has also worked on projects to integrate OTPs with other healthcare services and supported initiatives to reduce stigma around opioid use disorder.

International Collaboration

AATOD collaborates with the World Federation for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence (WFTOD), which represents over 600 OTPs worldwide. This partnership helps disseminate best practices globally and supports international policy discussions on opioid treatment[3].