CERTIFIED METHADONE ADVOCATE (CMA)

Methadone Advocacy

The National Alliance of Methadone Advocates (NAMA) holds the view that every individual who believes in methadone treatment is at least a potential  Certified Methadone Advocate (CMA).

We encourage all supporters of methadone treatment, patient and non-patient, to become Certified Methadone Advocates so that all energies directed toward the advancement of methadone treatment produce positive results.

You do not have to be a patient to be a methadone advocate.

Fifteen Years ago when NAMA first started, methadone advocacy was a few committed individuals who all knew one another. When on those rare occasions that a new advocate became active she or he was mentored by a more experienced advocate.

A few mistakes were made but the same mistake was seldom made twice. The result of a small tight knit group closely collaborating.

Methadone Advocacy is no longer a few committed individuals. Hundreds of people with various degrees of skill and knowledge now call themselves Methadone Advocates and hundreds more are interested in becoming a Certified Methadone Advocate (CMA) if the training is made available.

NAMA is taking the lead to insure that there is a standard for methadone advocates and to maintain the level of professionalism that is expected from a NAMA advocate. It is also important that new methadone advocates have the same opportunities of those that came before them. NAMA's wealth resides with our dedicated advocates who are willing to share their experience with others who also want to make a difference.

Therefore, this training course has the potential to make significant changes in methadone treatment by creating a powerful national group of patients and professionals who see themselves as a community that is working towards a common goal. For far to long methadone treatment been misunderstood and disparaged; it is time for methadone treatment to be recognized as the "Gold Standard" for addiction treatments.