Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is a multifaceted approach to opioid addiction treatment. For adults who take part in MAT, the benefits include receiving prescription medication that can ease the symptoms of opioid withdrawal and participating in counseling sessions that can prepare them for recovery. Many reputable organizations, including the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), have endorsed MAT as an effective means of treating opioid addiction. The prescription medications that are authorized to be used in MAT programs in the U.S. can lessen the cravings and other withdrawal symptoms that occur when a person ends their opioid use. When they are taken as directed within the context of a MAT program, these medications can make it easier for a person to stop using opioids. When a person is no longer under the influence of opioids, they can regain the focus and clarity they need to fully engage in the counseling component of MAT. Counseling sessions can be sources of information, guidance, and shared support for people who are working to gain a solid foothold in early recovery.
