The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, "SAMHSA" for short, is the government agency responsible for efforts to promote the mental health of the nation. One of its responsibilities is the oversight of opioid rehab facilities, which are programs who provide medication-assisted treatment (MAT) to individuals who are in the midst of opioid addiction and dependency. Medications given are drugs like buprenorphine, methadone, and other drugs that stop withdrawal and curb cravings for opioid dependent clients. SAMSHA certified opioid rehabilitation programs in Iowa are programs that are legally permitted to distribute the drugs used in MAT as long as they remain certified and continue to meet certain requirements. A requirement that MAT clients must also receive auxiliary benefits in addition to medication like psychotherapy, behavioral therapy or counseling.
An opioid rehabilitation center can get their basic certification while they endeavor to get their full accreditation, however, are required to get their full accreditation in a year. Opioid rehab facilities authorized by SAMSHA need to get licensed also by their own state. In addition, they must register with the Drug Enforcement Administration via a local DEA branch. Once an opioid rehabilitation center is approved to operate, they need to get re-certified each year or every three years depending on the kind of accreditation it has been given.