# MAT Effectiveness

One of the very common questions folks have about medication assisted treatment programs is, “are they really effective?” The short answer is yes. Research widely supports the usage of MAT in individuals experiencing an opioid or alcohol use disorder. Studies show that folks on MAT have better outcomes than those that undergo treatment without medications.

The benefits of MAT are numerous: for example, research supports the notion that MAT significantly reduces the chance of relapse. It's been shown to work in preventing infectious diseases associated with drug use, such as HIV and Hepatitis C. Thirdly, MAT has been associated with lower rates of overdose. Like, in Baltimore, rates of opioid overdose dropped significantly when adoption of buprenorphine, a medication found in the **[www.connecticutaddictionresources.com](https://connecticutaddictionresources.com/)** treatment of opioid use disorder, became more widespread.

A broad body of literature supports the notion that MAT is more effective than other interventions alone in reducing drug and alcohol use, preventing relapse, and even increasing patient survival.

**SAMHSA also links MAT to positive outcomes such as:**

Better retention in treatment
Enhanced abilities for patients to attain and retain employment
Decreases in criminal activity
Positive outcomes for both mother in baby, when a pregnant mother seeks treatment for opioid dependency
In spite of these documented outcomes, many individuals, a number of them even healthcare providers, have common misconceptions about MAT. Ex-Secretary of the Department of Health

and Human Services, Tom Price, even infamously said that MAT was “substituting one drug for another.” This claim is simply untrue. MAT medications work to block cravings and negate the euphoric aftereffects of the drug inducing the addiction.


They've little potential for misuse and most have little threat of dependency. While MAT programs require close and consistent monitoring with a qualified provider, they are both safe and effective.

What Medications Are Found in MAT?
The FDA currently approves medications for the treatment of addiction to opioids and alcohol.

Opioid Dependency Medications
The FDA currently only approves three medications for the treatment of opioid dependency: buprenorphine, naltrexone, and methadone.

**Buprenorphine**

As an incomplete opioid agonist, buprenorphine is prescribed to treat individuals who experience a dependency on an opioid such as oxycontin, Vicodin, or heroin. Unlike other choices like methadone, an individual can obtain buprenorphine directly from their doctor's office.

At once, buprenorphine must accompany other facets of a comprehensive recovery program that addresses the individual's psychosocial and supportive needs. Alone, buprenorphine could be a drug of abuse, so most formulations are compounded with naloxone, which can trigger withdrawal symptoms with attempted misuse.

**Methadone**

Methadone is one of many oldest medications approved for the treatment of opioid use disorder. It works to regulate cravings and can alleviate the symptoms of withdrawal. All methadone must be dispensed at an avowed Opioid Treatment Program and requires strict adherence to protocols. As such, other medications like buprenorphine and naltrexone have be popular in recent years.

**Naltrexone**

Naltrexone has a slightly different mechanism of action compared to methadone and buprenorphine. It may be used to treat both opioid and alcohol use disorders. It functions blocking opioid receptors, so if your person takes naltrexone and then tries to take alcohol or opioids, they'll not experience any of the euphoric effects. It also works to decrease urges to drink alcohol or take opioids. It may decrease tolerance to opioids, so a relapse can lead to fatal respiratory depression. In general, however, Naltrexone is a safe medication without any potential for abuse and few side effects.

MAT Medications for Alcohol Use Disorder
MAT therapy for AUD involves one of three medications: disulfiram, acamprosate, and naltrexone. Like MAT treatment for OUD, all these medications must be followed by therapies and other evidence-based interventions tailored to the individual.

**Disulfiram**

Disulfiram functions creating unpleasant unwanted effects when a person taking it decides to drink. Even with consuming a bit of alcohol, an individual can experience unwanted effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, vertigo, flushing, headache, and heart palpitations. The consequences can last for one hour or even more and are meant to keep the individual from drinking. For disulfiram to work, an individual must be devoted to the treatment schedule and staying sober. It may be particularly helpful for triggering social situations like parties.

**Acamprosate**

Acamprosate is meant to prevent relapse for someone newly in sobriety. It is particularly helpful in the treatment of Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS). PAWS can occur anytime within the very first 2 yrs of treatment and is considered to be the consequence of changed brain chemistry during the time scale of heavy alcohol use. Specifically, neurological adaptations in neurotransmitter systems just like the GABA system can result in hyper-excitability. Acamprosate can calm this hyperactivity and reduce the outward symptoms that result, such as insomnia, restlessness, and anxiety.

**Naltrexone**

Just because it works for opioid use disorder, Naltrexone works to cut back the nice feelings an individual may feel from being intoxicated. This can help people stay sober and reduce their drinking behaviors for them to successfully continue other facets of their treatment.