FAQ's About Advocate Training and Certification

  1. What is a methadone advocate?
  2. What is a NAMA Certified Methadone Advocate(CMA)?
  3. What are the goals of advocacy?
  4. What is the Code Of Ethics?
  5. How do I become a certified methadone advocate(CMA)?
  6. Why should I become a NAMA CPA?

What is a methadone advocate?

A methadone advocate is someone who supports quality MAT. Quality MAT places each individual patient first and delivers treatment with dignity and respect. A methadone advocate can be a patient, a counselor, a doctor, a regulator, or even politician. In fact being a methadone advocate has nothing to do with being a patient, current or otherwise. Everyone involved in MAT is an advocate or at least should be.

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What is a certified methadone advocate?

A Certified Methadone Advocate is someone certified by NAMA who supports the goals of methadone advocacy, abides by the Code of Ethics, and takes the Patient Advocate Certification course. 

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What are the goals of advocacy?

  1. to make treatment available on demand to every person who needs it.
  2. to eliminate discrimination toward methadone patients.
  3. to create a more positive image about MAT.
  4. to help preserve patients' dignity and their rights.
  5. to empower methadone patients with a strong public voice.
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What is the Code Of Ethics?

A Code of Ethics for Responsible Methadone* Advocates

* CSAT is introducing the term Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) to identify opioid agonist treatments like methadone or Suboxone, that combine a physician approved medication with clinical or behavioral therapies. Advocates may refer to themselves as MAT or "medication assisted treatment" advocates or methadone advocates. We use the term "methadone advocate". Individuals may substitute MAT if that is their inclination.

1. In all matters the rights and dignity of the patient comes first.

2. A responsible advocate will take no action or give any advice that will make matters worse for the individual patient.

3. A responsible advocate does not confuse advocating for methadone patients with advocating for his or herself.

4. A responsible advocate will never violate the confidentiality of a patient nor will he/she advocate for a patient without the patients consent.

5. An advocate will accept no personal privilege or other consideration not available to other patients from providers or regulators. This does not preclude advocates from accepting donations to any organized advocacy organization or scholarships to conferences or events as long as they are made public. Compensated employees of programs must inform any patient for whom they are advocating that they are a compensated employee of this or that provider.

6. An advocate will not accept personal compensation in any form from a patient for providing advocacy services. This does not mean a patient cannot join an organization that an advocate represents, but joining an organization is never a condition of advocating for a patient. Nor does it preclude someone from accepting a salary to provide advocacy services.

7. A responsible advocate, whether compensated or not, will at all times conduct him or herself in a professional manner.

How do I become a Certified Methadone Advocate (CMA)?

You become a certified patient advocate by taking the Patient Advocate Training Course, agreeing to abide by the Code of Ethics, and to support the goals of advocacy. Each individual who applies is reviewed by the certification committee. If approved you will receive your certification in mail.

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Why should I become a CMA?

  • To learn about MAT from the top people in the field. 
  • To have the resources of a respected national organization behind you. 
  • To get credentialed in advocacy. 
  • To be mentored by the most experienced and knowledgeable methadone advocates anywhere. 
  • To be part of a national plan to end stigma. 

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Last Modified: January 14, 2009
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