Treating opioid addiction in rural family practice

Karen L. Smith MD, FAAFP kept discovering opioid addiction in the families she served in her independent, rural primary care practice. With growing need and few referral options, Smith began providing medication-assisted treatment. MAT uses medication, counseling and behavioral therapies to treat substance use disorders and sustain recovery. Smith shares patient stories which led her to take on this challenge and the barriers a physician must overcome to provide MAT.