MAR NOW: Rapid Access to Medications for Opioid and Alcohol Use Disorders recording

Opioid use disorder (OUD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD) continue to create significant barriers to timely, evidence‑based care. Medication-first, low‑barrier approaches are proven to reduce overdose risk, increase treatment engagement, and improve patient outcomes. This webinar provides an in‑depth look at strategies that streamline access to medications for OUD and AUD through immediate, telemedicine-driven pathways.


Participants will learn how the Medication Assisted Recovery Now (MAR NOW) model operates as a statewide resource offering rapid, same-day access to medications for individuals with OUD or AUD. Since its launch in May 2022, MAR NOW has connected more than 2,500 Illinois residents to treatment and follow-up care by eliminating delays, reducing administrative burden, and providing a clear, accessible referral system.

This program equips clinicians, care coordinators, and community professionals with practical guidance on implementing low‑barrier practices, understanding the MAR NOW workflow, and effectively linking individuals to timely medication-supported recovery services.

Target Audience

This course is intended for physicians, nurses, and other health care professionals.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this session, learners should be able to:

  • Describe the principles of medication-first, low barrier treatment approaches for opioid use disorder (OUD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD). 
  • Explain the structure and workflow of the Medication Assisted Recovery Now (MAR NOW) model, including its role in reducing wait times and improving access to MOUD and MAUD across Illinois.
  • Identify effective strategies for connecting patients with OUD or AUD to timely medication treatment using the MAR NOW referral pathway. 
  • Apply low barrier, evidence based practices in their clinical or community setting to improve linkage to care for individuals with substance use disorders.
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 1.00 ABP MOC Part 2
    Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the activity and individual assessment of and feedback to the learner, enables the learner to earn up to 1.00 MOC points in the American Board of Pediatrics’ (ABP) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABP MOC credit.
  • 1.00 American Board of Surgery
    Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the learner to earn credit toward the CME and Self-Assessment requirements of the American Board of Surgery's Continuous Certification program. It is the CME activity provider's responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABS credit.
    • 1.00 ABS Self-Assessment
  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
    Aurora Health Care is accredited by the Wisconsin Medical Society to provide continuing medical education for physicians. Aurora Health Care designates this activity for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
  • 1.00 Attendance
    Attendance Credit
    • 1.00 Approved AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 1.00 Continuing Nursing Education (CE)
    Aurora Health Care is an approved provider of continuing nursing education by the Wisconsin Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. 1.00 contact hours have been awarded to this activity by the Wisconsin Nursing Association. To receive contact hours, participants must attend the entire activity.
  • 1.00 ABIM MOC Part II
    Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 1.00 MOC points in the American Board of Internal Medicine’s (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. Participants will earn MOC points equivalent to the amount of CME credits claimed for the activity. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.
Course opens: 
01/15/2026
Course expires: 
12/31/2028
Cost:
$0.00
Rating: 
0

Faculty

Diana Botarri, DO; Medical Director, Controlled Substance Monitoring Team, Midwest Region, Advocate Health Medical Director, Integrative Medicine – Midwest Region, Advocate Health  Medical Director, Warm Handoff Services -Advocate Health-South PSA Integrate
Ashley Kwasinski, DNP, APNP: Nurse Practitioner, Infectious Disease
Nicole Gastala, MD; Family Medicine & Addiction Medicine; SUD Medical Director, Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery at IDHS

 

Disclosure

 

The planner(s) and speaker(s) have indicated that there are no relevant financial relationships with any ineligible companies to disclose.

 

Accreditation Statement
 

In support of improving patient care, Advocate Health is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

 

Credit Statement(s)
 

American Medical Association (AMA) 
Advocate Health designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.  Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) 
Advocate Health designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 1.00 ANCC contact hours. Nurses should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. 

 

Board Recognition Statement(s)

American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM)
Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 1.00 MOC points in the American Board of Internal Medicine’s (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.

American Board of Pediatrics (ABP)
Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the learner to earn up to 1.00 MOC points in the American Board of Pediatrics’ (ABP) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABP MOC credit

American Board of Surgery (ABS)
Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the learner to earn credit toward the CME and Self-Assessment requirements of the American Board of Surgery’s Continuous Certification program. It is the CME activity provider's responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABS credit.

Available Credit

  • 1.00 ABP MOC Part 2
    Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the activity and individual assessment of and feedback to the learner, enables the learner to earn up to 1.00 MOC points in the American Board of Pediatrics’ (ABP) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABP MOC credit.
  • 1.00 American Board of Surgery
    Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the learner to earn credit toward the CME and Self-Assessment requirements of the American Board of Surgery's Continuous Certification program. It is the CME activity provider's responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABS credit.
    • 1.00 ABS Self-Assessment
  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
    Aurora Health Care is accredited by the Wisconsin Medical Society to provide continuing medical education for physicians. Aurora Health Care designates this activity for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
  • 1.00 Attendance
    Attendance Credit
    • 1.00 Approved AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 1.00 Continuing Nursing Education (CE)
    Aurora Health Care is an approved provider of continuing nursing education by the Wisconsin Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. 1.00 contact hours have been awarded to this activity by the Wisconsin Nursing Association. To receive contact hours, participants must attend the entire activity.
  • 1.00 ABIM MOC Part II
    Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 1.00 MOC points in the American Board of Internal Medicine’s (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. Participants will earn MOC points equivalent to the amount of CME credits claimed for the activity. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.

Price

Cost:
$0.00
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