Medication-Assisted Treatment in Nebraska

Like many states across the country, Nebraska continues to battle the effects of the opioid crisis. According to data from the CDC, the number of opioid-involved overdose deaths in Nebraska rose from 161 in 2019 to 225 in 2022, marking a roughly 40% increase over the three-year period. And while Nebraska’s overdose rate remains lower than the national average, access to treatment remains uneven, especially in rural parts of the state.

One of the biggest challenges isn’t deciding to get help, it’s finding it. Over 60% of Nebraska’s counties are considered rural, and more than half are designated as Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) according to the National Rural Health Association. That means in some of these communities, it’s difficult to find primary care physicians, and even more difficult to find mental health care, not to mention the difficulties in finding providers who offer Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT).

These gaps mean that too many people go without the support they need. But virtual treatment is helping change that.

Virtual addiction treatment makes it possible for people across Nebraska, whether you’re in Lincoln or a small town like Valentine, to connect with licensed providers from home. No travel. No waiting rooms. Just access to care when and where it matters most.

In recent years, Nebraska has taken meaningful steps to expand access to addiction care, including Medication-Assisted Treatment. In 2023, the federal government enacted the Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act, eliminating the requirement for healthcare providers to obtain a special waiver to prescribe medications like buprenorphine for opioid use disorder (OUD). This change allows any practitioner with a standard DEA registration to prescribe these medications, provided they comply with state laws.

Nebraska has also taken significant steps to enhance telehealth services. The Nebraska Telehealth Act permits healthcare providers to establish patient relationships and prescribe medications through telehealth platforms, including audio-only services when appropriate.

Within the state, local leaders and public health agencies continue to promote harm reduction and treatment-based strategies. Programs focused on prevention, peer support, and medication access are helping more Nebraskans get the care they deserve.

Virtual MAT is one of the most promising solutions. It helps close the gap for people who might otherwise delay or avoid treatment because of distance, cost, or fear of stigma.

How our virtual MAT program supports you

Our virtual Medication-Assisted Treatment program uses FDA-approved medications, like Suboxone® (a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone), to ease withdrawal symptoms, reduce cravings, and protect against overdose.

These medications work with the same brain receptors that opioids affect, but in a safer, more controlled way:

• Partial opioid agonists (like buprenorphine) activate opioid receptors gently to reduce cravings without producing a full high.
• Opioid antagonists (like naloxone) block those receptors entirely, helping prevent misuse.

Combined with regular check-ins and ongoing support from our licensed providers, this approach helps you stay on track safely, privately, and on your terms.

1. Set micro-goals

Forget big resolutions. Instead, focus on small, doable goals, like attending one support group, drinking more water today, or going for a short walk. Achieving micro-goals builds momentum and reminds you that progress happens in inches, not miles.

2. Give yourself grace on the hard days

Some days will feel harder than others. When they do, try to speak to yourself the way you’d talk to someone you care about: with patience, not punishment.

3. Borrow motivation from your future self

When cravings or doubt hit, picture the version of you who’s one month, six months, or one year into recovery. What would they say to you right now? This small shift, thinking forward instead of feeling stuck, can help you make decisions from a place of hope and content, not just habit.