Once a person has developed an addiction to opioids, it can be quite difficult for them to stop using these drugs without professional help. The powerful cravings and other painful symptoms that are characteristic of opioid withdrawal can keep people trapped in a downward spiral of compulsive opioid abuse. But when a person receives medication-assisted treatment, or MAT, they may find it easier to achieve long-term recovery from an opioid addiction. MAT is an evidence-based approach to opioid addiction treatment that includes prescription medication and counseling. The medications that are approved for use in MAT programs in the U.S. can ease the distress of withdrawal, which can help people end their opioid use. With their minds and bodies no longer weakened by opioids, people can achieve the strength and clarity they need to fully engage in the counseling component of treatment. The counseling sessions MAT patients attend can help them address the psychological, behavioral, and social aspects of opioid addiction and recovery. Many respected organizations, such as the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), have endorsed MAT as an effective means of treating opioid addiction.
