Help Overcome Opioid Use Disorder with Medication-Assisted Treatment

Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) is an ongoing health crisis in the United States that can affect anyone, no matter your race, income level or gender. An estimated 6.1 million people in the U.S. age 12 and older have OUD.

The good news is OUD is treatable — and one of the most powerful tools for recovery is Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT).

If you or someone you know is looking for a way to stop using opioids, MAT can help. This type of treatment can assist those struggling with opioid addiction get their lives back on track, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This treatment can help counteract the addiction’s powerful effects on the brain and behavior.

What Is Medication-Assisted Treatment?

MAT offers a whole-person approach to treat addiction to opioids such as heroin or prescription pain killers. It combines the use of medicine with counseling and behavioral therapy to treat OUD. Studies show that MAT is effective at reducing risky behavior, overdose deaths, and HIV and Hepatitis C infections.

The Federal Drug Administration has approved three medicines to treat OUD. These include:

• Buprenorphine (brand names Subutex, Suboxone)
• Methadone
• Naltrexone (brand name Vivitrol)

Medication-assisted treatment is not just swapping one drug for another. The medicine used during treatment works differently than opioids. It does not get you high. Instead, these medicines help balance brain chemistry and block the effects of feeling high from opioids. This allows the brain to heal while working toward recovery. The medicines are safe to use for months or years, depending on the treatment plan prescribed by the doctor overseeing your care.

How Can MAT Help?

These medicines do more than block the effects of opioids. They can also help relieve the symptoms of withdrawal and reduce cravings for opioids. For anyone who is injecting opioids, they can lower your risk of contracting diseases such as HIV or Hepatitis C. If you are pregnant and have OUD, they can improve chances of a healthy birth.

Addiction is a chronic disease. While each person’s path to recovery is unique, the science shows that MAT is an effective treatment tool for OUD. It can increase the drive to take part in treatment and help your recovery stay on track.

Start a Conversation with Your Doctor

When talking about MAT treatment with your doctor, asking questions can help you understand your treatment plan. You can also ask for written instructions to reference as needed.

Ask your doctor:

• How long will I be on the medicine?
• What are the side effects, and how can I handle them?
• How do I use a medicine like Naloxone in case of an opioid overdose emergency?
• What are the effects of using this medicine with other drugs?
• Why is it important to stay on track with my medicine, and what are the dangers of stopping suddenly?
• What are some other ways to support my recovery (for example, peer support, exercise, etc.)?

Resources for Treating Opioid Use Disorder

Medicines for substance use disorders are given in different settings. These may be a doctor’s office or a certified Opioid Treatment Program (OTP), depending on the medication. Talk with a doctor or visit the websites below to find treatment near you.

Opioid Treatment Program Directory:  Find opioid treatment programs by state.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Buprenorphine Treatment Physician Locator:  Find providers authorized to treat opioid dependency with buprenorphine.

SAMHSA’s National Helpline:  A free, confidential, 24/7 treatment referral and information service in English and Spanish for people facing mental and/or substance use disorders and their families. Call 800-662-HELP (4357) or text 435748.

SAMHSA's Substance Use Treatment Locator:  A confidential and anonymous resource for people seeking treatment for mental health issues and substance use disorders in the U.S. and its territories.

Learn About Levels of Care

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are things you can do. Begin by learning more about the different levels of mental health and substance use treatment that are available.

Sources: Preventing Opioid Use Disorder,  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024; Recovery is Possible: Treatment for Opioid Addiction,  CDC, 2024; Information about Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD),  U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2024; Medication-Assisted Treatment FAQ,  Illinois Department of Public Health