Medication
Assisted
Treatment
(MAT)

Treatments that are Proven to Reduce Cravings, Prevent Relapse, and Provide Protection from Overdose

Addiction Medicine offers a variety of clinically proven medications to treat substance use disorders, particularly where it concerns opiate and alcohol use.

MAT for Opiate Use Disorder

Stabilize destructive patterns of chronic relapse, lower the risk of relapse and overdose. Break the cycle.

The most important factor determining whether or not an individual achieves sustainable remission from destructive patterns of opiate use is access to MAT.

Buprenorphine – Generally considered the ‘Gold Standard’ treatment for treatment of Opiate Use Disorder in the outpatient setting.

Buprenorphine management, under the direction of a skilled addiction medicine provider, lessens cravings, and breaks the cycle of repeated relapse on high-risk opiates like heroin and fentanyl.

While treated with buprenorphine, and absent the need to seek out other kinds of opiates, many individuals are able to resume a normal level of functioning, resume occupational and recreational activities, and repair damaged relationships. Buprenorphine is available in both a daily oral form and a long acting injectable.

Naltrexone – Naltrexone, frequently confused with naloxone, is an opiate blocking medication that essentially renders opiates ineffective. Not only does this prevent an opiate user from experiencing the ‘high’ associated with opiates, the medication also prevents overdose. Naltrexone comes in a daily oral form and also as a monthly injectable.

Naloxone – Naloxone is utilized as a ‘rescue medication’, primarily used in the treatment of opiate overdose. All individuals with opiate use disorder should have access to naloxone. Family and friends of individuals suffering with opiate use disorder should learn to recognize signs of an opiate overdose and be aware of how to administer this medication in the event of an overdose.

MAT for Alcohol Use Disorder

Reduce Cravings to Drink and Lower the Impact of Relapse

Naltrexone – Naltrexone, when taken as a daily medication (or a monthly injectable), acts to lessen cravings for alcohol. Individuals who take naltrexone often report less desire to drink or find alcohol less palatable. Naltrexone is best utilized in conjunction with an abstinence based approach to quitting drinking. It is frequently used as a ‘harm reduction’ treatment when the goal of the individual is to drink less, rather than stop completely.

Acamprosate – Similar to Naltrexone, this medication has been proven to lower cravings for alcohol. This medication is frequently used as an alternative to naltrexone, or in the event of advanced liver disease.

Disulfiram – Old school treatment for alcohol use disorder. This medication can be an effective deterrent to drinking for some individuals: the consequence of alcohol use while taking this medication is to feel acutely ill. In practice, newer treatments such as naltrexone are a better option for most individuals as they address cravings and are better tolerated over the long term.

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Medication
Assisted
Treatment
(MAT)

MAT for Opiate Use Disorder

MAT for Alcohol Use Disorder

Request an appointment - it's easy.

When You Succeed, We Succeed

Board Certified Treatment Experts

Healing Starts Here

MedicationAssistedTreatment (MAT)

MAT for Opiate Use Disorder

MAT for Alcohol Use Disorder

Request an appointment - it's easy.

When You Succeed, We Succeed

Board Certified Treatment Experts

Healing Starts Here

Medication
Assisted
Treatment
(MAT)