MAT is the use of medications, in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies to promote and sustain recovery. The goal of MAT is to treat the entire patient, not just the drug dependence. Decades of research has revealed a strong link between mental health and substance use disorder. Some people take drugs to deal with their undiagnosed mental health issues. Others use drugs to numb trauma they may have experienced in their lives. No matter the reason, the underlying cause of the substance use must be treated along with the addiction to make recovery possible.
“Medications used in MAT are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and MAT programs are clinically driven and tailored to meet each patient’s needs. It is primarily used for the treatment of addiction to opioids such as heroin and prescription pain relievers that contain opiates. The prescribed medication operates to normalize brain chemistry, block the euphoric effects of opioids, relieve physiological cravings, and normalize body functions without the negative and euphoric effects of the substance used” (Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) 2022). Research shows that a combination of medication and therapy can successfully treat these disorders, and for some people struggling with addiction, MAT can help sustain recovery. SAMHSA. (2022, December 13). Medication-assisted treatment (MAT). SAMHSA. Retrieved January 2, 2023, from https://www.samhsa.gov/medication-assisted-treatment
