Medication Assisted Treatment

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) is the use of medications, in combination with other therapies, to provide a whole-patient approach to the treatment of substance use disorders. Examples of medications are methadone and buprenorphine for opioid addiction; naltrexone and acamprosate for alcohol addiction; and nicotine replacement therapy for tobacco smokers who are addicted to nicotine. Medications and counseling are the standard of care for a number of substance use disorders, including tobacco use disorders, alcohol use disorders, and opioid use disorders.

Individuals who are in Medication Assisted Treatment should be aware of their rights under Federal anti-discrimination laws. Please feel free to share this information with family, friends and advocates. Learn about your rights here.

What is Methadone?What is Buprenorphine?What is Naltrexone?

Methadone works by changing how the brain and nervous system respond to pain. It lessens the painful symptoms of opiate withdrawal and blocks the euphoric effects of opiate drugs such as heroin, morphine, and codeine, as well as semi-synthetic opioids like oxycodone and hydrocodone. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding can safely take methadone.

Buprenorphine is an opioid partial agonist. This means that, like opioids, it produces effects such as euphoria or respiratory depression. With buprenorphine, however, these effects are weaker than those of full drugs such as heroin and methadone. Limited information exists on the use of buprenorphine in women who are pregnant and have an opioid dependency.

Buprenorphine Practitioner Locator

Naltrexone blocks the euphoric and sedative effects of drugs such as heroin, morphine, and codeine. It works differently in the body than buprenorphine and methadone, which activate opioid receptors in the body that suppress cravings. Naltrexone binds and blocks opioid receptors and is reported to reduce opioid cravings. There is no abuse and diversion potential with naltrexone.