Medication-Assisted Treatment

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is defined as the use of medications, in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies, to provide a “whole-patient” approach to the treatment of substance use disorders.¹ For an individual with an OUD, the use of medications refers to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved medications for an opioid use disorder (MOUD). This integrated treatment approach for an OUD is associated with reduced negative consequences (e.g., all-cause mortality).^21-23 FDA-approved medications can be used to manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings for opioids or to maintain abstinence by reducing an individual’s craving for opioids.²⁴

Counseling and behavioral therapies, often provided by behavioral health professionals with training in substance abuse or mental health, are intended to help individuals address and cope with personal, social, or other problems contributing to their OUD. These services may be offered in person or via telehealth.

Despite its demonstrated effectiveness as a treatment for OUD, the use of MOUD with counseling has not kept pace with the rate of OUD diagnoses and federal agencies in the United States are calling for new approaches to improve access to MOUD. ^25-27