Medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorder(s)

The road to recovery is rarely straightforward. It takes time, support, and access to the right treatments—and all of this will vary per individual.

For many people, medication-assisted treatment (MAT) can be a life-changing part of that journey, especially when it comes to managing withdrawal symptoms, reducing cravings, and rebuilding stability.

Here’s a closer look at what medication-assisted treatment involves, how it supports recovery, and why it’s often a key part of effective, compassionate care for substance use disorders.

What is medication-assisted treatment?

Medication-assisted treatment (often also called medication-assisted recovery) combines FDA-approved medications with behavioral therapy to help people recover from substance use disorders. That’s an important distinction—MAT isn’t only about pharmaceuticals. It’s about incorporating them as just one tool in a more holistic treatment process.

Currently, MAT is most commonly used to treat people struggling with opioid use disorder, alcohol use disorder, and tobacco use disorder.

How does medication-assisted treatment work?

Medication-assisted treatment incorporates plenty of counseling and behavioral support, but as the name implies, the medication itself plays an important role.

Different medications are used for various purposes in recovery, such as reducing cravings, blocking the euphoric effects of certain substances, or easing withdrawal symptoms. Regardless of their specific use cases, medications aren’t a “fix-all” for substance use disorders—rather, they’re an effective and helpful resource in a person’s recovery journey.

That’s exactly why it’s so important to avoid low-quality treatment facilities (often called treatment mills) and find MAT that focuses on full substance use support (and not just pushing medications). High-quality MAT is:

• Supervised by a licensed healthcare provider, like a physician, nurse, or addiction specialist
• Integrated with counseling and behavioral therapy to address the emotional and psychological aspects
• Part of an individualized treatment plan rather than a generic approach
• Followed up with regular monitoring to adjust medication doses, assess progress, and prevent relapse

These components set a person up for success in their recovery, even if or when they stop taking medications.

Common medications used in medication-assisted treatment

The type of medication used depends on the kind of substance use a person is struggling with as well as the individual needs and goals of the person. Here’s a closer look at the FDA-approved medications used to treat three different types of substance use disorders: opioid, alcohol, and tobacco.

Opioid use disorder (OUD):

• Methadone: Helps prevent withdrawal symptoms and cravings by fully activating the same brain receptors as opioids with a safe and monitored dose.
• Buprenorphine:Reduces cravings and withdrawal by partially activating opioid receptors (without producing a strong high).
• Naltrexone: Blocks the effects of opioids, preventing the feeling of euphoria if a person uses them again.

Alcohol use disorder (AUD):

• Acamprosate: Helps reduce alcohol cravings and supports long-term abstinence by stabilizing brain chemistry.
• Disulfiram: Acts as a deterrent by causing unpleasant physical reactions (like nausea or flushing) if alcohol is consumed.
• Naltrexone: Reduces the pleasurable effects of alcohol, helping to curb heavy drinking and prevent relapse.

Tobacco use:

• Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT): Provides a controlled dose of nicotine through patches, gum, lozenges, inhalers, or nasal sprays to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
• Bupropion: Helps minimize nicotine cravings and withdrawal by affecting brain chemicals linked to addiction.
• Varenicline Tartrate: Reduces cravings and decreases the pleasurable effects of nicotine, making it easier to quit smoking.

What are the benefits of medication-assisted treatment?

Medication-assisted treatment doesn’t just help people manage withdrawal or cravings—plenty of research shows it has a proven and positive impact on recovery outcomes.

Reduced relapse rates

MAT significantly reduces relapses. In one study, 60% of participants remained opioid-free while on buprenorphine treatment, compared to only 20% of participants who remained opioid-free when they had no treatment or were taking a placebo.

Better treatment retention

Withdrawal symptoms can be incredibly intense and difficult to manage. Because MAT helps to ease those negative effects, it makes it easier for people to stay committed to substance use treatment and recovery. In another study, higher doses of buprenorphine, especially early in treatment, were associated with better retention in MAT at a six-month follow-up.

Improved quality of life

By stabilizing brain chemistry and easing the physical and emotional symptoms of withdrawal, MAT helps people regain a sense of balance and normalcy in their daily lives. This support can make it easier to focus on work, relationships, and other aspects of life that contribute to long-term recovery.

Reduced overdose deaths

MAT can be life-saving. People with opioid use disorder who take prescribed methadone or buprenorphine are about 50% less likely to die from an overdose compared to those not receiving treatment.

Common barriers to medication-assisted treatment

Despite its proven effectiveness, many people face obstacles to accessing medication-assisted treatment that can prevent them from getting the care they need to support sustainable recovery.

Stigma

There’s a lot of stigma attached to MAT, even within the recovery community. Some people look down on the approach—as if a person isn’t really clean or is just “replacing one drug with another.”

This stigma can cause people to internalize negative beliefs and resist pursuing lifesaving treatment. In one study of people with opioid use disorder—both in and not in treatment—participants had many negative beliefs about methadone, including believing that it was addictive, that it negatively impacted physical health, or that withdrawal from methadone was difficult.

Lack of access

Even though MAT is highly effective, many people who could benefit from it never receive it. In 2021, only 22% of individuals with opioid use disorder received medication as part of their treatment. Access disparities are especially pronounced among Black adults, women, those who are unemployed, and people living in nonmetropolitan areas.

Logistical challenges, such as transportation to and from substance use facilities and programs, also create major barriers. For many, simply getting to a clinic regularly can be difficult, further limiting access.

How Carrum can help

Medication-assisted treatment is most effective when it’s part of a comprehensive, coordinated treatment plan. Alongside medications, high-quality care for substance use disorders integrates behavioral therapy, peer support, and regular medical supervision, while also addressing the underlying mental health or social factors that can influence recovery.

Carrum Health makes this kind of holistic, personalized care more accessible. By connecting people to evidence-based programs, Carrum ensures that they receive the support they need to pursue lasting recovery—and not just short-term symptom management.

Learn more about Carrum’s Substance Use Program here.