Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) is the use of medications in combination with counseling and behavioral therapy to treat substance abuse disorders. It has become the treatment of choice for people with opioid use disorder (OUD). MAT is supported by the American Medical Association and the National Institutes of Health, among other agencies. It uses medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration to block the euphoric effects of opioids and other drugs, helping people stop abusing them.

In addition to providing a safe and effective way to overcome addiction, the medications used in MAT also provide many other benefits. They ease withdrawal symptoms, reduce cravings and normalize the body’s chemistry during recovery. This allows patients to focus on making the lifestyle changes that are essential for long-term success. Medications such as Suboxone and methadone help patients withdraw from opioids without experiencing the unpleasant withdrawal symptoms that can trigger relapse. They also ease cravings, which is a primary reason for opioid misuse and overdose.

Many people with alcohol or drug dependence also struggle with mental illness, and the medications used in MAT can be beneficial for them as well. Depression and anxiety are frequently associated with substance abuse, and both can be treated with MAT, as can bipolar disorder. Research has shown that combining psychotherapy and MAT can increase the effectiveness of treatment, leading to better outcomes than either alone.

In rural communities, where there is often a shortage of addiction medicine-trained providers and access to comprehensive addiction programs, MAT can be particularly helpful. It can allow clinicians to provide the necessary services in their own office, which is more convenient for both the patient and the provider.

Another benefit of MAT is that it can help reduce the cost of addiction treatment. Substance abuse is expensive, and the costs of incarceration, hospitalizations and social services can quickly add up. MAT can help to reduce these costs by keeping people out of the criminal justice system and in treatment instead, where they can get the help they need to recover.

The MAT approach is being embraced more and more by public and private insurers, who are working to make these life-saving services available to as many people as possible. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) and subsequent insurance reforms, such as the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, have made it easier for people to receive MAT through their health plans.

Individuals receiving MAT can face discrimination, even though Federal laws prohibit it. This "Medication-Assisted Treatment Know Your Rights" brochure aims to reduce discrimination by raising awareness about the value of MAT and the antidiscrimination laws that protect people receiving it.