The opioid addiction battle feels overwhelming, but when you’re determined to seek help, it can make a difference. Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) is gaining popularity in supporting people who are battling addiction, particularly with opioid use disorder (OUD).
The treatment uses Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medications and combines behavioral therapies to give people stability in their recovery journey.
Depending on the medication, it can help ease withdrawal symptoms, reduce cravings, or block the effects of opioids. However, the treatment is not the same for everyone.
Different medications have different effects, side effects, safety considerations, and treatment requirements. Understanding the pros and cons of medication-assisted treatment thus becomes essential before deciding what may be right for you.
In this blog, you will find out how medically-assisted treatment works, the medications used in the treatment, advantages and drawbacks of the treatment, and what to expect from it.
What Is Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)?
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is a medical approach used for treating opioid use disorder. It combines FDA-approved medications with appropriate counseling, behavioral therapy, or other recovery support, tailored to a person’s needs.
The idea is not simply to stop opioid use overnight. MAT helps address some of the physical and psychological challenges that can make recovery difficult. The main goal of the treatment is to:
- Reduce cravings.
- Ease withdrawal.
- Reduce illicit opioid use.
- Support treatment retention.
- Lower overdose risk.
- Support long-term recovery.
How Does Medication-Assisted Treatment Work?
Medication-assisted treatment works by using medication to address some of the physical effects of opioid use disorder, such as cravings and withdrawal, while the broader treatment plan supports a person’s recovery.
The exact approach depends on the medication used and the individual’s needs. Here’s how MAT works:
- Assessment: A healthcare provider reviews your opioid use, health history, and treatment needs.
- Medication selection: The provider chooses an appropriate FDA-approved medication.
- Craving control: Buprenorphine and methadone can reduce opioid cravings.
- Withdrawal relief: Buprenorphine and methadone can ease withdrawal symptoms.
- Opioid blocking: Naltrexone blocks opioid receptors and their effects.
- Ongoing care: Your provider monitors your response and adjusts opioid withdrawal treatment when needed.
- Recovery support: Counseling or other behavioral and recovery services may be included based on your needs.
What Medications Are Used in Medication-Assisted Treatment?
The FDA-approved medications for opioid addiction include buprenorphine, methadone, naltrexone, and suboxone. These are FDA-approved medications that work differently for each person struggling with OUD.
A healthcare provider assesses the patient’s health history to determine which option fits their health needs and treatment goals.
- Buprenorphine treatment: Helps ease withdrawal and reduce opioid cravings.
- Methadone treatment: A full opioid agonist that reduces withdrawal symptoms and cravings. It may also reduce the euphoric high from opioid use.
- Naltrexone treatment: Blocks opioid receptors and their effects.
- Suboxone treatment: Combines buprenorphine and naloxone to reduce cravings and block opioid receptors and their effects.
Pros of Medication-Assisted Treatment
For many people, medication can make the early stages of opioid addiction treatment more manageable. The benefits depend on the medication and the person receiving it.
Here are some common benefits of MAT:
Reduced Opioid Cravings
A significant advantage of medication-assisted treatment is reducing opioid cravings. Buprenorphine and methadone act on opioid receptors in ways that can help lessen cravings and make them easier to manage.
Fewer Withdrawal Symptoms
Medication-assisted treatment for opioid addiction helps erase withdrawal symptoms. This can make the physical transition away from opioid use more manageable under medical supervision.
Lower Risk of Opioid Overdose
Medications used to treat opioid use disorder can lower the risk of overdose when used as prescribed. Buprenorphine and methadone, in particular, are associated with reduced overdose mortality among people receiving treatment.
Better Treatment Stability
Medication can help manage cravings and withdrawal while a person continues treatment. Having those symptoms under better control may make it easier to stay connected with care and focus on other parts of opioid addiction recovery.
Flexible Treatment Options
There is more than one medication available for OUD. Buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone work differently, giving healthcare providers options when building an individualized treatment plan.
Cons of Medication-Assisted Treatment
MAT can be an effective component of OUD management. But it also comes with considerations that should be discussed with a healthcare provider.
Understanding the risks associated with MAT can help you make a more informed treatment decision.
Possible Medication Side Effects
Some medications used for OUD can cause side effects. For example, buprenorphine may cause nausea, constipation, headache, or sleep problems, while other medications have their own potential risks.
Physical Dependence With Some Medications
Buprenorphine and methadone can lead to physical dependence when used over time. However, it doesn’t mean a person has developed another addiction. It simply means that the person experiences withdrawal if they stop taking the medication.
Treatment Requires Ongoing Medical Care
You shouldn’t start or stop taking MAT on your own. Your provider may need to monitor your response, manage side effects, and adjust your treatment as your needs change.
Naltrexone Requires an Opioid-Free Period
Naltrexone for opioid addiction works differently from buprenorphine and methadone, but it cannot be started while a person is physically dependent on opioids or experiencing withdrawal. A healthcare provider will determine when it is safe to begin.
Is Medication-Assisted Treatment Safe?
Once you’ve gone through the MAT benefits and risks, you may wonder whether the treatment is safe.
The truth is, the FDA-approved medications can help reduce opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Still, MAT is not completely risk-free. Each medication has its own side effects.
That’s why a healthcare provider needs to assess a person’s condition before administering a medication.
Is MAT Replacing One Addiction With Another?
No. MAT is not simply replacing one addiction with another. Some medications used in MAT can cause physical dependence, but dependence and addiction are not the same thing. The medication is used in a controlled medical setting to treat opioid use disorder.
- It treats the disorder: Buprenorphine and methadone can reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms rather than producing the same cycle of uncontrolled opioid use.
- It is medically monitored: A healthcare provider determines the medication and dose based on the person’s needs and monitors treatment over time.
- Dependence can be managed: If you have dependency, stopping medication suddenly without supervision can be risky. It can lead to severe withdrawal.
- Recovery remains the goal: Medication can be one part of a broader treatment plan that supports stability and long-term recovery.
Who May Benefit From Medication-Assisted Treatment?
Medication-assisted treatment may be an option for people with opioid use disorder who need help managing cravings, withdrawal, or ongoing opioid use.
MAT may be considered for people who:
- Have opioid use disorder: Medication can be part of a comprehensive treatment plan for OUD.
- Struggle with opioid cravings: Buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone can help reduce cravings in different ways.
- Experience withdrawal: Buprenorphine and methadone can help relieve opioid withdrawal symptoms.
- Have tried to stop using opioids before: Medication may provide another evidence-based treatment option when previous attempts have not worked.
- Want outpatient care: Some medications, particularly buprenorphine, can be provided in office-based settings, depending on the person’s needs and circumstances.
What to Expect When Starting MAT?
Starting opioid use disorder treatment can feel uncertain at first, especially if you do not know what the first appointment or medication will involve. MAT begins with an individual assessment, followed by a treatment plan that addresses cravings, withdrawal, and other needs.
Here is what you may experience when treatment begins:
- Your healthcare provider will review your opioid use, health history, current medications, and treatment goals.
- You will get a personalized suboxone treatment plan based on your condition.
- Your healthcare provider will monitor your response, side effects, and progress and adjust treatment when needed.
- Counseling or other supportive services may be included in your overall treatment plan.
How Long Does Medication-Assisted Treatment Last?
Medication-assisted treatment takes as long as needed because opioid use disorder is a chronic condition. The opioid cravings treatment may continue for months, years, or longer, depending on a person’s response, treatment goals, and ongoing risk of returning to opioid use.
For instance, if a person is taking buprenorphine, the treatment may continue as long as it takes to help manage opioid cravings and support recovery.
There is no specific point at which everyone should stop, and any decision to reduce or discontinue medication should be made with a healthcare provider.
Get the Right Support for Opioid Addiction with Carolina Recovery MD
Medication-Assisted treatment is now becoming quite popular in helping people with OUD. By learning the pros and cons of medication-assisted treatment, you can make an informed decision for the recovery journey.
If you’re considering MAT for opioid addiction, you don’t have to figure out everything on your own.
At Carolina Recovery MD, we have Dr. Brian Adler, who is an experienced addiction specialist. Our comprehensive assessment gives a foundation for the right treatment plan to manage your addiction.
We offer a private setting where you can discuss your experience. Sharing your experience, thoughts, and concerns can help us adjust the treatment to support stability and recovery.
Explore our medication-assisted treatment plan to support long-term opioid recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions.
1. Is medication-assisted treatment effective for opioid addiction?
Yes, medication-assisted treatment is effective for opioid addiction. This treatment combines FDA-approved medications like buprenorphine, naltrexone, and suboxone that help with opioid cravings, withdrawal, and overuse.
2. Does MAT replace one addiction with another?
No, MAT doesn’t replace one addiction with another. It helps in reducing the cravings for opioids without creating a cycle of overuse. However, these medications must be administered by a licensed healthcare provider.
3. Can MAT reduce opioid cravings?
MAT programs utilize buprenorphine, a partial opioid agonist that eliminates the cravings for opioids and the associated withdrawal symptoms. This drug is approved by the FDA, leading to its selection as the first-line option in recovery from opioid addiction.
4. Can you work while receiving MAT?
Yes, you can work while receiving MAT. The FDA-approved medications are designed to stabilize brain function and control cravings. It thus offers a safe approach to manage your opioid addiction while effectively maintaining employment.
5. Can you stop MAT once you feel better?
It is not recommended to stop MAT abruptly even when you feel better. Opioid use disorder is chronic. So, when you take the medication to reduce cravings, it helps you manage the withdrawal symptoms as well. Discontinuing the treatment can trigger withdrawal symptoms, and it may lead to overuse.
