Medication assisted treatment (MAT) is the use of prescription medications
to treat substance use disorders.
MAT is used to treat addiction to alcohol or opioids, such as heroin and prescription pain relievers that contain opiates. The prescribed medication normalizes brain chemistry, blocks the euphoric effects of alcohol and opioids and relieves physiological cravings.
Medications used for MAT are evidence-based treatment options approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Incorporating prescription medications into an addiction treatment plan is not “just substituting one drug for another.”
At Gaiser, we provide medication management and monitoring in both inpatient and outpatient settings under the direction of our board-certified addiction medicine physician. Gaiser’s holistic approach combines MAT with counseling and behavioral therapy for optimal success. Research indicates that blending MAT with behavioral therapies improves outcomes. We embrace this multi-faceted approach.
