Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is the use of medications, in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies, to provide a whole patient approach to the treatment of substance use disorders. Medications used in MAT are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). MAT programs are clinically driven and tailored to meet each patient’s needs.
MAT is used for the treatment of addiction to opioids such as heroin and prescription pain relievers. MAT is also effective for treating addiction to alcohol.
Research shows that a combination of medication and therapy can successfully treat alcohol use disorder and opioid use disorders. For some individuals struggling with addiction, MAT can help sustain recovery. MAT is also used to prevent or reduce opioid overdose.