
Medication-Assisted Treatment
A whole-patient approach to treatment, recovery, and overdose prevention.
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is an evidence-based treatment method that uses the combination of FDA approved medications with behavioral therapy to treat SUDs, sustain recovery, and prevent overdose. MAT is tailored to meet the unique needs of individual clients to provide the best results.
The effectiveness of Medication-Assisted Treatment
Medication-assisted treatment is primarily used for opioid addiction (heroin and prescription pain relievers), but can also be used for alcohol use disorders, and overdose prevention. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) MAT has been shown to:- Improve patient survival
- Increase retention in treatment
- Decrease illicit opiate use and other criminal activity among people with substance use disorders
- Increase patients’ ability to gain and maintain employment
- Improve birth outcomes among women who have substance use disorders and are pregnant

Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment
MAT works by helping reduce withdrawal symptoms for clients coming off of opioids, reduce cravings, and block euphoric effects of substances. Additionally, MAT helps increase protective factors such as employment and healthy relationships - increasing an individual's chance of long-term recovery. Reduces withdrawal symptoms
Decreases cravings and risk of relapse
Blocks euphoric effects
Increases protective factors
