Medication Assisted Treatment FAQ’s

Medication Assisted Treatment is the use of medications, in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies, to provide a whole patient approach to Opioid Disorder.  

Some Myths about Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)

MAT just trades one addiction for another

MAT bridges the biological and behavior components of addiction. Research indicates that a combination of medication and behavioral therapies can successfully treat substance use disorder and help sustain recovery

Medication Assisted Treatment is used only for short term treatment

Research shows that patients prescribed Medication Assisted Treatment for at least 1-2 years have the greatest rate of long-term success. There is currently no evidence to support benefits from stopping medication assisted treatment (MAT).

Providing Medication Assisted Treatment will only disrupt and hinder the recovery process

Medication Assisted Treatment has been proven to assist patients in recovery by improving quality of life, level of functioning and the ability to handle stress. Above all, Medication Assisted Treatment helps reduce mortality with patients begin recovery.

There isn’t any proof that Medication Assisted Treatment is better than abstinence.

Medication Assisted Treatment is evidence-based and is the recommended course of treatment for Opioid Addiction. The American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry, American Medical Association, The National Institute on Drug Abuse, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Disease Control Prevention, and numerous other agencies emphasize Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) as first line treatment.