Medication for Addiction Treatment (MAT)

Medication for Addiction Treatment (MAT), also called Medication Assisted Treatment, is a treatment approach combining FDA-approved medications with counseling and behavioral therapies to provide a multi-pronged approach to managing substance use disorders. MAT has proven particularly effective in treating opioid and alcohol use disorders as well as tobacco use.

It is a common myth that MAT is just replacing one addiction with another. In reality, MAT medications are carefully regulated, non-euphoric, and used under medical supervision. When taken as prescribed, they help break the addictive cycle by restoring a measure of brain function and reducing uncontrollable urges to use.

MAT for Opioid Use

• Methadone: A long-acting opioid that reduces cravings and suppresses withdrawal symptoms without creating a “high.” It allows individuals to stabilize and focus on recovery efforts.
• Buprenorphine: A partial opioid agonist, meaning it activates opioid receptors in the brain but to a lesser degree than drugs like heroin. It eases withdrawal, decreases cravings, and has a lower risk of overdose than methadone.
• Naltrexone: Unlike methadone or buprenorphine, naltrexone is an opioid antagonist, blocking the effects of opioids entirely. This can be helpful in preventing relapse for highly motivated individuals.

MAT for Alcohol Use

• Disulfiram (Antabuse): Creates a highly unpleasant physical reaction if even a small amount of alcohol is consumed. The fear of this reaction serves as a deterrent to drinking.
• Acamprosate: Reduces protracted withdrawal symptoms like anxiety and insomnia that can trigger relapse long after initial detox. It helps restore balance to brain chemistry disrupted by chronic alcohol use.
• Naltrexone: Both in oral and injectable forms, naltrexone reduces cravings for alcohol and decreases the pleasurable effects if alcohol is consumed.

How MAT Works

MAT eases withdrawal by managing discomfort. This can be crucial in early recovery. Medications can dramatically reduce symptoms, increasing the likelihood of successfully completing detox and transitioning into longer-term treatment. MAT can also reduce cravings, or the intense pull towards using substances which can be overwhelming. MAT medications lessen these cravings, allowing individuals to gain a foothold in recovery.

MAT blocks euphoric effects, disrupting the reward cycle of getting high which can be powerful in combating SUD. Medications like naltrexone prevent the pleasurable effects if a person relapses while on the medication. MAT also reduces the chaotic cycle of use and withdrawal, bringing some physiological normalcy that allows individuals greater energy to engage in the hard work of therapy.

Combining MAT with Therapy

MAT manages physical aspects of addiction, but therapy is needed to address underlying emotional triggers, develop coping skills, and rebuild relationships damaged by substance use. Studies consistently show that combining MAT with therapy produces the best chances of long-term recovery, more so than either modality used alone.

It is important to discuss MAT and all medications with your medical provider. Together you can decide if MAT can play a role in your recovery from SUD. Never start, stop, or change a medication without consulting a provider.