Medical schools and academic health systems play a critical role in addressing the opioid epidemic and substance use disorders. Through education, research, clinical care, and community engagement, these institutions prepare physicians and other health professionals to prevent overdose, manage pain safely, and provide evidence-based, compassionate care for people with opioid and other substance use disorders (SUDs).
The AAMC helps faculty, staff, and leaders advance this work by connecting the academic medicine community with relevant knowledge, resources, learning opportunities, and expertise. Since 2017, the AAMC has worked with the academic medicine community and national partners to strengthen education related to pain management, addiction, and substance use disorders. This sustained effort has included assessing curricular needs, identifying and sharing effective practices, supporting curricular innovation and faculty development, advancing collaboration, and developing resources to address emerging educational priorities.
Explore resources to support education and training related to substance use disorders, pain management, overdose prevention, and compassionate care, including curricula, research and data, and regulatory guidance.
Featured AAMC Resources
Use these resources as starting points to understand the education landscape, explore current data, and address stigma in education and care.
Understand the education landscape
Responding to the Opioid Epidemic Across the Continuum of Medical Education: Results of a National Action Initiative summarizes recommendations from a national convening and offers a foundation for education across the continuum. Read the report (PDF).
Learn what medical schools are teaching
Addiction Medicine, Substance Use, and Pain Management in Medical School Curricula provides a concise view of how U.S. medical schools address addiction medicine, substance use, and pain management in their curricula. Review the curricula data snapshot (PDF)
Explore SUDs diagnosis patterns
Mapping Substance Use Disorder: Analysis of Clinically Documented Diagnosis Patterns uses Clinical Practice Solutions Center billing data to examine variation in clinically documented SUD diagnoses across service lines, diagnosis types, payers, and patient demographic groups. Explore the data snapshot on diagnosis patterns (PDF).
Address stigma in education and care
“Looking Inward: Addressing the Stigma of Addiction” is an on-demand AAMC webinar examining stigma and strategies for more compassionate care and education. An AAMC sign-in may be required. Access the recording.
“Stigma Against Patients With Substance Use Disorders Among Health Care Professionals and Trainees and Stigma-Reducing Interventions: A Systematic Review,” published in Academic Medicine, is an AAMC/NIDA-supported literature review of SUD-related stigma among health professionals and trainees and the evidence for interventions to reduce it. Read the literature review.
Education and Curriculum Resources
Explore frameworks, modules, and curricular examples that educators and clinicians can use to strengthen education related to pain management, substance use disorders, overdose prevention, and treatment.
Blueprint for Success in the Safe and Appropriate Prescribing of Opioid Analgesics
Access free continuing medical education (CME) modules designed to help clinicians strengthen knowledge of the appropriate and safe use of opioid analgesics therapies for pain management. The series was developed through a strategic collaboration between the AAMC and Medscape Education, and additional modules will continue to be added to the collection. Explore the modules (login required).
3Cs Framework for Pain and Unhealthy Substance Use: Minimum Core Competencies for Interprofessional Education and Practice
Outlines competencies essential for effectively managing pain and addressing issues related to unhealthy substance use in healthcare. The framework was developed by the Education and Training Work Group of the National Academy of Medicine Action Collaborative on Combatting Substance Use and Opioid Crises; the AAMC is a founding member of the Action Collaborative. Access the 3Cs framework.
Medical School Addiction Across the Continuum
Includes medical school model curricula and resources focused on prevention, treatment, and SUD training. Explore the addiction medicine curriculum framework developed by the Coalition on Physician Education in Substance Use Disorders.
Treatment Options for Substance Use Disorder
Find federal information and resources on medications used in the care of those with SUDs, including alcohol and opioids. Also covers child safety, low barrier models of care, and patient rights. Read about treatment options for SUD.
Curricular Examples
Empowering Stigmatized Voices: Cocreating a Curriculum on Pain and Opioid Use Disorder With Patient Partners (Academic Medicine 2025)
Addressing the Opioid Crisis: A Dynamic Case-Based Module Set for Interprofessional Educators, Learners, and Clinicians (MedEdPORTAL 2022)
A Novel Team-Based Learning Approach for an Internal Medicine Residency: Medication-Assisted Treatments for Substance Use Disorders (MedEdPORTAL 2021)
Explore additional peer-reviewed scholarship and teaching resources in Academic Medicine and MedEdPORTAL.
Regulatory and Policy Guidance
DEA training requirement for controlled substance registration
Under the Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act, DEA-registered practitioners, except veterinarians, must attest once to complete eight hours of training on treating and managing patients with opioid or other substance use disorders when applying for or renewing a DEA registration. Qualifying education completed in medical school or through accredited continuing education may count toward the requirement.
What medical schools and educators should do:
- Review your curriculum. Confirm that learners receive at least eight hours of qualifying education, whether delivered as a standalone course or integrated across lectures, small-group sessions, simulations, clinical experiences, and other formats.
- Document qualifying education. Maintain clear records and prepare language graduates can use to determine whether their medical school education satisfies the requirement, including for graduates who completed a qualifying curriculum within the applicable five-year window.
- Help graduates identify additional training when needed. Graduates who do not meet the requirement through prior education can complete eligible accredited continuing education activities.
Review the current DEA MATE Act training requirements and questions and answers.
Need qualifying training?
Find eligible activities through CME Passport.
Past AAMC Grants and Awards
AAMC grants and awards have recognized exemplary curricula and supported the development of educational tools in addiction medicine, pain management, safe prescribing, treatment, and stigma reduction. These initiatives remain available as examples for educators designing or strengthening programs.
Explore recognized curricular innovations and past Opioid Education Challenge Grant projects.
Questions?
For questions about these resources, email CurricularInnovation@aamc.org.