Opioid use is on the rise. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, drug overdose deaths rose from 2019 to 2022 with 107,941 drug overdose deaths reported in 2022. But this tragedy has a solution: making medication-assisted treatment (MAT)–also known as medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD)–more accessible to those who need it. If you’re already sick of acronyms, raise your hand. We get it. But these letters help reduce the numbers of people suffering from opioid use disorder–people like you or a loved one. Here’s how.
1. What is medication-assisted treatment?
Medication-assisted treatment is exactly what it sounds like: it assists in treating people with opioid use disorder by using medication to ease withdrawl. Medication is proven to save lives, reduce overdoses, and sustain long term recovery.
While MAT programs take a medication first approach, they often combine medication with group therapy–which can be an important part of building a supportive community, aiding in recovery and addressing causes of addiction like trauma and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).
MAT is often associated with the treatment of opioid use, but it can also be used to treat other substance use disorders, including alcohol.
2. Is medication assisted treatment safe?
In the past, critics of MAT thought treating opioid use disorder with another substance was harmful. That is false. All medications used in this treatment are Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved. The use of the FDA-approved medications buprenorphine, methadone and naltrexone has been proven to aid recovery. Medications like buprenorphine-naloxone (also known as suboxone) are safe and save lives.
If your head is spinning with multi-syllable meds, let’s make it easier. Quitting long-time opioid use causes withdrawal. Many people describe feeling like they had to use in order to not feel sick or exhausted. MAT programs help prevent withdrawal symptoms without the negative outcomes of illicit drug use. It normalizes brain chemistry, reduces cravings, regulates normal body function, and helps people focus on the recovery process.
3. What’s the difference between MAT and opioid use in addiction?
Not everybody likes taking medication. You might even think MAT is replacing one drug with another. That’s a fair concern. But ask yourself, “Would being on suboxone or methadone allow someone to reach their goals, honor their values and be their best selves more than continued opioid use does? Would they function better at home, school or work? Would it reduce their exposure to risky situations?” Addiction is a chronic disease. We can help manage it with medication, just like we would use insulin to treat diabetes. Thinking about these things may help make the difference between MAT and opioid use in addiction more clear.
4. What are the benefits of MAT?
- Reduce the risk of overdose
- Reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms
- Improve physical, social and mental health
- Reduce the risk of infectious diseases from sharing contaminated needles
- Improve pregnancy outcomes and reduce the risk of opioid withdrawal syndrome in newborns
- Improve the chances of long-term recovery
- Provide a supportive healthcare provider and medication management
- Reduce criminal activity and landing in the criminal justice system
- Provide a bridge to longer-term recovery.
- Reduce the burden of opioid use on individuals, families and the community
5. How to get help for opioid use disorder with MAT
At Better Life Partners, we assess each person’s needs and usage history and create a custom MAT program for every individual. If MAT is not right in your situation, we’ll help connect you with a care pathway that fits your needs.
We hope you’ll use this as a starting point to talk with your loved ones or evaluate your recovery options with a medical professional. You can also speak to one of our caring healthcare providers. Call (866) 679-0831 if you believe MAT may be the solution you or your loved one is searching for.
References
SAMHSA — Medication Assisted Treatment
U.S. Food & Drug Administration — Information about Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
