If it is about you or someone you love contemplating medication-assisted treatment, you most likely have encountered some conflicting ideas. Some people swear by it. Some are concerned that it simply substitutes one drug with another.
Medication-assisted treatment or MAT involves the use of medicine to support individuals to quit opioids or alcohol. Its best outcomes come with counseling by doctors. The three popular drugs are methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone. MAT can reduce overdose likelihood and ease of treatment maintenance, yet it also has side effects and is associated with a certain level of stigma.
Medication-assisted treatment is a concept, but what is it, and does the research actually support its use? Real benefits and real tradeoffs are the truth of the matter, and knowing either more than just taking a side because of stigma or rumors.
Here, the guide will go through what MAT really entails, the real advantages and disadvantages of medication-assisted treatment, its effectiveness, and the length of time that people remain on it.
What Is Medication-Assisted Treatment
Medication-assisted treatment is an evidence-based approach that combines FDA-approved medications with counseling and behavioral therapy to treat opioid or alcohol use disorder.
MAT is not simply handing someone a prescription. It addresses both the physical and psychological sides of addiction at the same time.
“MAT is an effective treatment approach to substance use disorders that includes pharmacotherapy, the use of FDA-approved medications, in combination with psychotherapy and behavioral therapies.”
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Common Medications Used in MAT
Three FDA-approved medications are most commonly used for opioid use disorder, each working through a different mechanism in the brain.
Medication | How It Works | Access |
Methadone | Reduces cravings and withdrawal as a full opioid agonist | Only through certified opioid treatment programs |
Buprenorphine | Partial opioid agonist that eases withdrawal with lower overdose risk | Prescribed by licensed providers |
Naltrexone | Opioid antagonist that blocks euphoric effects | Any licensed provider; oral or monthly injection |
For alcohol use disorder, medications like naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram are commonly used instead.
Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment
The core benefits of MAT come from its ability to stabilize brain chemistry, which makes counseling and daily life significantly more manageable during early recovery.
Documented benefits include:
- Roughly 50 percent lower risk of overdose death compared to no treatment
- Reduced opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms
- Higher rates of treatment retention
- Greater ability to maintain employment and stability
- Reduced risk of infectious disease from injection drug use
- Better engagement in counseling and behavioral therapy
“People with opioid use disorder taking prescribed methadone or buprenorphine are 50 percent less likely to die of overdose compared to no treatment.”
Fact: Less than 20 percent of people with opioid use disorder currently receive medication-assisted treatment.
Disadvantages of Medication-Assisted Treatment
MAT is not without real drawbacks, and understanding them helps set realistic expectations rather than an idealized picture of treatment.
Common disadvantages include:
- Side effects like nausea, constipation, or insomnia depending on the medication
- Some medications, like methadone and buprenorphine, carry their own dependence and diversion risk
- Access barriers, including cost, provider shortages, and program requirements
- Stigma, both from others and sometimes from the person in treatment themselves
- Methadone requires daily visits to a certified clinic in many cases
- Naltrexone requires full detox first and has lower retention rates than agonist medications
“Naltrexone in pill form is basically no better than placebo because people simply stop taking it. Extended-release naltrexone has shown more promising results.”
Worried about side effects or stigma around MAT? Call Orlando Treatment Solutions at (321) 415-3213 to talk it through.
Is Medication-Assisted Treatment Effective
Yes, research consistently shows medication-assisted treatment is effective, particularly methadone and buprenorphine, which have the strongest evidence base of any opioid use disorder treatment available.
Evidence supporting effectiveness includes:
- Significantly reduced overdose mortality
- Improved treatment retention compared to counseling alone
- Reduced illicit opioid use
- Better overall quality of life outcomes
Naltrexone’s effectiveness depends heavily on form. Extended-release injections show better outcomes than daily pills, largely because they remove the daily decision to keep taking the medication.
Expert Advice: Pair medication with counseling for the strongest, most lasting results.
Curious whether MAT is right for you or a loved one? Orlando Treatment Solutions can help you decide.
How Long Does MAT Typically Last
There is no fixed timeline for medication-assisted treatment. Duration depends on the individual, the medication used, and how their recovery is progressing over time.
General patterns include:
- Some people use MAT for months during early recovery stabilization
- Others remain on maintenance medication for years, or indefinitely
- Naltrexone injections are sometimes used for a shorter, defined period
- Tapering off medication, when appropriate, is done gradually under medical supervision
Research consistently shows longer MAT duration is associated with better long-term outcomes, which is part of why abrupt discontinuation is generally discouraged.
MAT Versus Abstinence-Only Treatment
MAT and abstinence-only treatment are often framed as opposing approaches, though the research increasingly supports MAT as the more effective option for opioid use disorder specifically.
- Abstinence-only detox followed by no medication carries a notably higher relapse and overdose risk.
- MAT addresses the physiological changes opioid use disorder causes in the brain
- Combining medication with counseling outperforms either approach used alone.e
- The right choice still depends on the substance involved and the individual’s specific situation.
Addressing the Stigma Around MAT
One of the biggest barriers to MAT is not medical; it is the persistent belief that using medication to treat addiction simply replaces one substance with another.
“Evidence-based treatment has proven that when patients take these medications as prescribed, they are more likely to maintain employment, avoid criminal behavior, and engage in counseling and other behavioral interventions that improve their recovery.”
Understanding MAT as a medical treatment for a medical condition, similar to insulin for diabetes, helps reframe this conversation for many families.
Who Is A Good Candidate For MAT
MAT tends to work best for people with moderate to severe opioid or alcohol use disorder, though the right fit depends on individual health history and treatment goals.
Consider MAT if:
- Previous abstinence-only attempts have not been successful
- Withdrawal symptoms have made it difficult to stay in treatment
- Cravings continue to interfere with daily functioning
- A comprehensive evaluation supports medication as part of the plan
A medical provider is best positioned to determine which medication, if any, fits your specific situation.
Medication-Assisted Treatment At Orlando Treatment Solutions
At Orlando Treatment Solutions, we understand that deciding whether MAT is right for you or a loved one is not a decision to make lightly. Our team combines medication with counseling and behavioral therapy to address both the physical and psychological sides of recovery.
Our medication-assisted treatment program is built into our broader continuum of care, including our opioid addiction treatment program. Many clients also benefit from our partial hospitalization program or intensive outpatient program alongside medication support.
Reach out through our contact page or call (321) 415-3213 to speak confidentially with our admissions team about your options.
References
- Thoroughbred Behavioral Health. “What is the Average IOP Program Cost in 2026?” February 2026. https://thoroughbredbhc.com/blog/iop-program-cost/
- Medicare. “Intensive Outpatient Program Services (IOP).” May 2026. https://medicare.fcso.com/billing/intensive-outpatient-program-iop-billing-requirements-institutional-services
- Recovery Team. “IOP Cost With Insurance | Intensive Outpatient Program Pricing & Coverage.” January 2026. https://www.recoveryteam.org/substance-use/addiction-treatment/cost-of-intensive-outpatient-programs-iops-with-insurance/
- Bold Steps Behavioral Health. “IOP Cost With & Without Insurance.” April 2026. https://boldstepsbh.com/programs/intensive-outpatient-program/cost/
- Southern Live Oak Wellness. “How Much Does IOP Cost? Pricing, Insurance & Options.” April 2026. https://southernliveoakwellness.com/how-much-does-iop-cost/
- Center for Health Care Strategies. “Expanded Medicare Coverage of Intensive Outpatient Services: Considerations for States.” September 2025. https://www.chcs.org/resource/expanded-medicare-coverage-of-intensive-outpatient-services-considerations-for-states/
- Medicare. “Intensive Outpatient Program Services Coverage.” https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/mental-health-care-intensive-outpatient-program-services
- Addiction Resource Center LLC. “Intensive Outpatient Program Cost: A 2026 Guide.” https://sayarc.com/learning-center/intensive-outpatient-program-cost/
- California Prime Recovery. “How Much Does IOP Cost With Insurance? Coverage & Costs.” April 2026. https://californiaprimerecovery.com/does-insurance-cover-iop-mental-health/
- MindSpace Recovery Center. “IOP Costs in California: What You’ll Pay in 2026.” April 2026. https://mindspacerc.com/iop-costs-california/
About the Author:
Dr. Zach Miller is the Chief Clinical Officer and Co-Founder of Orlando Treatment Solutions, where he champions holistic, evidence-based approaches to sustainable recovery and mental well-being. Holding credentials as a Ph.D., LMHC, MCAP, and CRRA, he provides expert clinical oversight to ensure all content and resources effectively guide individuals through every stage of their post-treatment journey.
Medical Disclaimer:
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice or a clinical recommendation. For a personalized assessment, please consult a licensed mental health professional. To learn more about evidence-based mental health and addiction treatment in Florida, visit orlandotreatmentsolutions.com or call (321) 415-3213.
FAQs
What is medication-assisted treatment?
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) combines FDA-approved medications with counseling and behavioral therapy to treat opioid or alcohol use disorder. This integrated approach addresses both the physical symptoms of addiction and the psychological factors that support long-term recovery.
What are the main benefits of medication-assisted treatment?
MAT reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms, lowers overdose risk by about 50 percent for opioid use disorder, improves treatment retention, and helps many people maintain employment, relationships, and daily responsibilities throughout recovery.
What are the disadvantages of medication-assisted treatment?
Potential drawbacks include medication side effects, the possibility of physical dependence with certain medications, diversion concerns, limited access in some areas, and ongoing stigma that may discourage people from seeking evidence-based treatment.
Is medication-assisted treatment effective?
Yes. Extensive research shows medications such as methadone and buprenorphine significantly reduce overdose deaths, decrease illicit opioid use, and improve long-term treatment retention compared with behavioral treatment alone or no treatment.
How long does medication-assisted treatment typically last?
The length of MAT varies based on individual needs. Some people use medication for several months during stabilization, while others benefit from maintenance treatment lasting years as part of a personalized recovery plan.
Does MAT just replace one addiction with another?
No. When taken as prescribed under medical supervision, MAT medications stabilize brain chemistry, reduce cravings, and support normal functioning without producing the compulsive, impairing patterns associated with untreated addiction.
What is the difference between methadone and buprenorphine?
Methadone is a full opioid agonist typically dispensed through certified opioid treatment programs, while buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist with a lower overdose risk that can be prescribed by qualified healthcare providers.
How does naltrexone differ from methadone and buprenorphine?
Unlike methadone and buprenorphine, naltrexone blocks opioid receptors instead of activating them. It requires complete detoxification before starting and is often administered as a monthly extended-release injection for opioid or alcohol use disorder.
Can someone stop taking MAT medication eventually?
Yes. Some individuals successfully taper off MAT medications when clinically appropriate, but this process should always occur gradually under medical supervision to reduce withdrawal symptoms and lower the risk of relapse.
Is MAT only used for opioid addiction?
No. MAT is also an evidence-based treatment for alcohol use disorder using medications such as naltrexone, acamprosate, or disulfiram, combined with counseling and behavioral therapies to support long-term recovery.
Why do so few people with opioid use disorder receive MAT?
Despite strong evidence supporting MAT, many people face barriers, including limited provider availability, insurance or cost challenges, regulatory requirements, transportation issues, and persistent stigma surrounding medication-based treatment.
How do I know if MAT is right for me or my loved one?
A comprehensive evaluation by a qualified healthcare provider can determine whether MAT is appropriate based on substance use history, medical needs, previous treatment experiences, and individual recovery goals.
