Medication Assisted Treatment

The most effective treatment for opiate dependence

What is MAT?

MAT is a long-term intervention program specifically created for patients who are in recovery from an opiate type substance use disorder. Medical professionals conduct an individual assessment to determine the appropriate level of treatment and engagement frequency. Outpatient treatment effectively combines medication management and supportive therapy to safely guide patients toward recovery. Buprenorphine & Naloxone, medications approved by the FDA to treat opioid addiction, offer a pain-free recovery experience. When taken as prescribed, it’s a safe way to avoid overdose and eventually diminish opioid dependence.

Purpose

Medication Assisted Treatment is primarily used for the treatment of addiction to opioids such as heroin and prescription pain relievers that contain opiates. The prescribed medication operates to normalize brain chemistry, block the euphoric effects of alcohol and opioids, relieve physiological cravings, and normalize body functions without the negative and euphoric effects of the substance used.

Proven Success

Clinical trials on buprenorphine, and naloxone show that twice as many patients have curbed their opioid use as compared to a placebo. In the first long-term follow-up of patients treated with buprenorphine for addiction to opioid pain relievers, half reported that they were abstinent from the drugs 18 months after starting medication assisted treatment.

Patient Focused

MAT has been shown to improve patient survival, increase retention in treatment as well as increase patient’s ability to gain and maintain employment following a decrease in illicit opiate use. Outpatient treatment is individualized and created with input from the patient, the prescriber, and other members of the healthcare team.

"Medication-assisted treatment saves lives while increasing the chances a person will remain in treatment and learn the skills and build the networks necessary for long-term recovery"

Michael Botticelli

Director, National Drug Policy

How Buprenorphine Works

Buprenorphine works by knocking other opioids in the brain off their receptors and binding tightly to the same receptors, so that other opioids cannot occupy them. In effect, this prevents withdrawal symptoms and reduces drug cravings.