Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) is the use of medications in combination with counseling and behavioral interventions for the treatment of substance use disorders. A combination of medication and behavioral interventions can be effective in the treatment of substance use disorders and can help some people to sustain recovery.

Whether it’s adult outpatient treatment or inpatient treatment for opioid use disorder, Medication-Assisted Treatment for opioid use has been shown to be a successful way to treat opioid addiction. The medications involved have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration and are combined with counseling and behavioral therapies to get to the root of drug addiction. 

It is important to note that MAT is not an “instant fix” and that SAMHSA reports it needs to be combined with other therapies and treatment to work properly.

While there is much controversy surrounding MAT being used to treat opioid use disorders, studies show that it helps, and it is yet another tool in the fight against addiction. 

The medications used in MAT depend on the situation, but the most common are: 

• Methadone
• Buprenorphine (Subutex)
• Buprenorphine and Naloxone
• Naltrexone 

Like all medications to treat any disorder, each of these comes with their own set of side effects and it is important to do your research before beginning MAT. 

Some of these side effects include: 

• Constipation
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Headache
• Drowsiness

The benefits of MAT far outweigh the risk of any of these side effects, and it is important to talk to your treatment provider for more information. 

To participate in MAT, it is important to get into an opioid treatment program that offers MAT. There are many programs and facilities that do not offer MAT in either inpatient or outpatient care. 

Dover Behavioral Health offers outpatient Medication-Assisted Treatment for those with a substance use disorder as part of our many treatment programs. We recognize that every tool is valuable in your recovery journey, and you deserve to have every available advantage to beat addiction and live a happier, healthier life in recovery. 

Our assessment and referral center is available to receive calls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call us at 302-741-0140 for a no-cost, confidential assessment today.