Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is a form of opioid addiction treatment that combines the use of prescription medication with counseling services. When someone is struggling with an addiction to opioids, it can be extremely difficult to stop using. One of the hardest struggles people have is going through the withdrawal process. The process of withdrawing from opioids can be so distressing that many people return to using opioids to ease their uncomfortable symptoms. The FDA-approved medications used in MAT, however, have proved to reduce or eliminate those symptoms, which allows people to focus on beginning their recovery journeys. By adding in the counseling component, people can work on identifying triggers and developing coping skills that can help prevent future relapse. This well-rounded approach to opioid addiction treatment has saved countless lives and is supported by medical professionals and respected agencies like the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).
