Medication-assisted treatment, or MAT, can be an extremely beneficial form of care for adults who have developed opioid addictions. MAT, which combines prescription medication and counseling, has been closely studied in the United States for several decades. Through the years, it has proved to be a safe and effective means of helping people end their opioid use and achieve long-term recovery. The prescription medications that are approved for use in MAT programs can ease the drug cravings and other symptoms that are characteristic of opioid withdrawal. When a person takes a prescription medication as directed by a qualified physician in the context of a MAT program, they may find it much easier to stop using opioids. Some people take these medications for a relatively short period of time and then taper their use under a doctor’s supervision. Others continue to use prescription medications for months or years. The counseling component of MAT addresses the psychological, behavioral, and social aspects of opioid addiction and recovery. Counseling helps MAT patients learn how to respond to stress, conflicts, and other triggers without resorting to opioid abuse.
