The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) defines Medication-Assisted Treatment as the use of FDA-approved medications, in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies, to provide a whole-person approach to treating substance use disorders.(Source)

For opioid use disorder, the primary FDA-approved medications include:

• Buprenorphine – a partial opioid agonist that reduces cravings and withdrawal without producing the same level of euphoria as full opioids.(Source)
• Methadone – a long-acting full opioid agonist that stabilizes brain chemistry and prevents withdrawal when taken as prescribed in a regulated program.(Source)
• Naltrexone – an opioid antagonist that blocks the effects of opioids and can also be used for alcohol use disorder.(Source)

These medications are always most effective when combined with:

• Individual counseling
• Group therapy
• Family therapy
• Peer support and recovery coaching
• Mental health care for co-occurring disorders

MAT is not a quick fix or a replacement for therapy. Instead, it is a medical tool that helps stabilize the body and brain so that individuals can fully engage in the emotional, psychological, and behavioral work of recovery.(Source)