Medication-Assisted Treatment in North Dakota

In North Dakota, seeking help for addiction can feel like stepping into the spotlight, and not in a good way. The fear of being seen walking into a treatment center is often enough to keep people from going at all.

Between 2019 and 2022, drug overdoses on average claimed the lives of two North Dakotans every day. The majority of these deaths involved fentanyl, a synthetic opioid. During this time period, overdose deaths increased by 48% as reported by the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services.

More recently, from December 2023 to December 2024, the CDC reported 118 drug overdose deaths in the state. While North Dakota may not have the highest number of overdose deaths nationally, the impact on families and communities is just as real.

Getting treatment in North Dakota isn’t just about finding the will. It’s about overcoming distance, waitlists, and the quiet fear of being recognized. For many, the risk of being seen at a clinic in a small town feels heavier than the addiction itself. The result is isolation, delay, and far too often, loss.

Virtual addiction treatment helps remove those barriers. It gives people the chance to speak with a provider in a place that’s comfortable for them. This kind of access is critical in a state where treatment options can be scarce, and stigma still keeps people silent. Virtual care isn’t a backup plan; it’s a way to make treatment safer, more private, and actually reachable for those who need it most.

Through new laws, expanded telemedicine access, and programs that directly address both cost and stigma, North Dakota is starting to rebuild how addiction care is delivered.

In January 2025, Senate Bill 2076 was introduced with the aim of simplifying the process of getting medications, including those used to treat substance use disorders. When fewer approvals and forms stand in the way, it becomes easier to start treatment and stay on it without interruption.

Additionally, Senate Bill 2280 helps clear a path for care by improving how insurance companies handle prior authorizations. It sets time limits for responses, requires that medical experts handle denials, and makes the process more transparent. For patients, this means fewer surprises, fewer delays, and more time spent focusing on recovery, not paperwork.

Cost is another barrier for many. That’s where North Dakota’s Substance Use Disorder Voucher Program comes in. It helps cover essential services like counseling, peer support, assessments, and even transportation. When paired with virtual care, this kind of financial support brings treatment closer, especially for people who might not have had access otherwise.

Moreover, North Dakota’s Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) plays a key role in preventing prescription misuse, but it’s most powerful when paired with accessible, non-punitive care. That’s where programs like Recovery Reinvented, led by First Lady Kathryn Helgaas Burgum, come in. This statewide initiative challenges stigma and uplifts stories of recovery, helping to reshape public understanding of addiction and encouraging more people to seek help without shame.

In a state where distance, stigma, and provider shortages have long been barriers, North Dakota’s evolving approach is opening doors that once felt locked.

How our virtual MAT program helps you

Our virtual Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) program is built around your life. Through private, online appointments, you can connect with licensed providers who understand addiction and are here to support your recovery.

You can get evaluated, speak with a provider, and receive prescriptions all from your phone or computer. Our goal is to make care more accessible and consistent. We want to help you get the care you need to take control of your health.

1. Create touchpoints between appointments

If you’re living in a rural area or feeling isolated, it’s important to have support between visits. Write down three things that help you feel connected, whether that’s texting a trusted friend, using a mindfulness app, or joining a virtual recovery group. These small check-ins can make a big difference in staying emotionally grounded.

2. Give yourself credit for choosing care in the first place

Starting MAT, especially if you’ve tried other paths before, is not just a medical decision. It’s an emotional and spiritual one. You chose to keep going. That choice is a sign of your resilience, even if you’re still figuring out what healing looks like.

3. Let go of ‘all or nothing’ thinking

Recovery isn’t linear. You don’t have to do everything perfectly for it to count. Missed a dose? Skipped an appointment? That doesn’t erase your progress. What matters most is that you come back to your care plan, not how many times it takes.