What Is Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) and How Does It Support Recovery?

Hannah Bingler LPC, LAC.

CLINICAL DIRECTOR

Hannah Bingler is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Addiction Counselor with a deep passion for helping people rediscover hope and purpose in their lives. After earning her Master’s in Counseling from the University of Denver, Hannah began her career driven by a belief that healing is always possible. Throughout her work, Hannah has walked alongside individuals facing anxiety, depression, trauma, and addiction, helping them uncover their inner strength and build lasting change. Her approach is grounded in authenticity and connection, creating a space where clients feel seen, supported, and empowered on their journey toward recovery and self-discovery.

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You may hear some say that recovery from addiction is “just a matter of willpower and abstinence”. Unfortunately, it’s more complicated than that. Addiction is a brain disease with complex neurobiological processes, not a moral failing.

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) is the recommended approach for many with substance use disorders, particularly with opioids (e.g. fentanyl, heroin, oxycodone, percocet) and alcohol.

It addresses the physiological aspects of recovery, enabling the psychological work to take effect. In this article, I explain what MAT is, the medications used, how it works, and the benefits.

What is Medication-Assisted Treatment?

MAT is an evidence-based approach that uses certain medications, together with counseling and behavioral therapies, to treat substance use disorders, especially opioid and alcohol use disorders. It supports both the physical and psychological aspects of addiction so you can stabilize, engage in treatment, and sustain recovery.

There are FDA-approved medications that can help people stop or reduce opioid or alcohol use. They may also help to treat withdrawal symptoms that occur when people stop taking these substances and to reduce drug cravings, without creating the strongly pleasurable effects of opioid drugs or alcohol.

These medications include methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone. Another medication, lofexidine, is available to treat the acute symptoms of opioid withdrawal [1].

MAT does not simply “replace one drug with another”. With its “whole-patient” approach, it is not a standalone treatment. It combines medications with behavioral therapy, psychosocial supports, and other wraparound services, leading to the best outcomes.

How MAT Works: Stabilizing the Brain to Enable Healing

The primary functions of MAT medications are to:

Normalize brain chemistry
Block the rewarding effects
Alleviate withdrawal symptoms
Reduce or eliminate cravings

The Medications: Tools for Different Disorders

The choice of medications is made by a doctor based on the individual’s needs [2] [3] [4] [5].

For Opioid Use Disorder

Drugs: Heroin, fentanyl, prescription painkillers such as Oxycodone or Percocet, or others

Methadone: Is a long-acting full opioid agonist, which acts on opioid receptors in a controlled way, reducing the reward from use. It is highly effective for individuals with severe or chronic opioid dependencies, providing stability and reducing cravings. Dispensed through regulated clinics. [6].

Buprenorphine (Suboxone, Sublocade): A partial opioid agonist that reduces cravings and withdrawal with a lower risk of misuse. Acts on opioid receptors in a controlled way, reducing the reward from use. Suboxone is one of the most effective and widely used MAT medications, particularly suited for outpatient treatment. Can be prescribed in doctors’ offices [7].

Extended Release Naltrexone (Vivitrol): An opioid antagonist ideal for individuals who have already detoxed, naltrexone blocks opioid receptors completely, preventing relapse by making opioid use ineffective. Available as a monthly injection or daily pill.

For Alcohol Use Disorder

Naltrexone: Reduces craving and the pleasurable effects of alcohol.

Acamprosate: Reduces long-term distress by helping to restore brain chemical balance after acute withdrawal.

Disulfiram: Creates an adverse physical reaction if alcohol is consumed, serving as a deterrent.

7 Ways MAT Actively Supports the Journey of Recovery

MAT makes early sobriety more medically and psychologically bearable and supports recovery by reducing the risk of relapse and overdose. MAT supports the recovery journey in these ways [8]:

Creates the basis for successful therapy: MAT allows individuals to be fully present and engaged in therapy by managing physical symptoms and cravings.

Reduces harm and saves lives: MAT significantly lowers the risk of overdose, transmission of infectious disease, and criminal behavior associated with illicit drug use.

Improves social and functional outcomes: Enables individuals to regain stability, return to work, rebuild relationships, and focus on long-term life goals.

Increases retention in treatment: Studies show MAT significantly increases the probability of someone staying in treatment long enough for it to be effective.

Empowers the individual: MAT changes the focus from daily survival against cravings to active participation in building a new life.

MAT medications are most effective when combined with counseling, behavioral therapies, and peer or family support. Therapies and counseling can help address trauma, co-occurring mental health conditions, triggers, and social factors that medications alone cannot resolve.

Find Supportive Care at Red Rock Recovery

Substance use disorder or addiction can feel insurmountable, but Red Rock Recovery Center is here to help you begin your recovery journey today with our core values of Community, Connection, and Purpose.

Red Rock Recovery Center stands out from most drug and alcohol rehab centers in Colorado by offering a full continuum of care approach to substance use disorder (SUD) and addiction treatment.

Our Colorado rehab center is proud to offer an addiction treatment program that includes all necessary steps to healing, from medical detox to aftercare services. Located close to major cities such as Colorado Springs, we are uniquely equipped to help countless families find healing.