Medication Assisted Treatment(MAT)

Information about Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

Medication-assisted treatment is the use of medications in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies, which is effective in the treatment of opioid use disorders (OUD) and can help some people sustain recovery.

Understanding Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

More must be done to facilitate treatment options and the development of therapies to address OUD as a chronic disease with long-lasting effects. This means helping more people secure Medication-Assisted Treatment. It also requires us to find new and more effective ways to advance the use of medical therapy for the treatment of OUD.

There are three drugs approved by the FDA for the treatment of opioid dependence: buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone. All three of these treatments have been demonstrated to be safe and effective in combination with counseling and psychosocial support. Everyone who seeks treatment for an OUD should be offered access to all three options as this allows providers to work with patients to select the treatment best suited to an individual’s needs. Due to the chronic nature of OUD, the need for continuing MAT should be re‐evaluated periodically. There is no maximum recommended duration of maintenance treatment, and for some patients, treatment may continue indefinitely.

FDA-Approved Drugs for MAT:

There are three primary drugs that the FDA has sanctioned for opioid dependence treatment:

1. Buprenorphine: Under this category, several products have been approved such as:

  • Bunavail (buprenorphine and naloxone) buccal film
  • Cassipa (buprenorphine and naloxone) sublingual film
  • Probuphine (buprenorphine) implant for subdermal administration
  • Sublocade (buprenorphine extended‐release) injection for subcutaneous use
  • Suboxone (buprenorphine and naloxone) for sublingual or buccal use, and more.

2. Methadone: Notable FDA-approved products in this category include:

  • Dolophine (methadone hydrochloride) tablets
  • Methadose (methadone hydrochloride) oral concentrate

3. Naltrexone: A significant product under this is:

  • Vivitrol (naltrexone for extended-release injectable suspension) intramuscular

What are the goals of medication-assisted treatment?

The goal of medication-assisted treatments is to control a specific set of conditions during the early stages of recovery. Once the conditions are addressed, the individual should taper off the medication as they replace negative coping skills with functional behaviors.

Start Your MAT Journey:

MAT isn’t just a treatment; it’s a comprehensive recovery strategy. With the right support and medical guidance, Medication-Assisted Treatment paves the way for sustainable recovery from opioid use disorders. Contact our New Hope Healthcare Institute team today.

FAQ's

MAT combines the use of specific medications with counseling and behavioral therapies to treat opioid use disorders effectively.

Yes, the FDA has approved several drugs, such as buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone, to be safe and effective when combined with proper counseling and psychosocial support.

The duration varies from person to person. While there is no recommended maximum duration, some individuals might need continued treatment, while others might taper off over time.

The main objective of MAT is to manage the immediate symptoms during early recovery stages. As the individual progresses, they taper off the medication, adopting healthier coping mechanisms.

Ideally, every person seeking treatment for OUD should be given access to all three drug options to find the best-suited treatment for their needs.

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Take charge of your journey to recovery.

At New Hope Health in Tennessee, we offer free insurance verification for our clients who feel they need some help. When you contact us, we will carry out the thorough analysis of your addiction problem, and then recommend a workable drug treatment program. Next, we will contact your insurance provider on your behalf and verify your benefits. We will also let you know if you will be responsible for any out-of-pocket expense not covered under your plan.

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