About Treatment

Why medication assisted treatment (MAT)?

Research has indicated that medication assisted treatment (MAT) is an effective treatment for heroin and prescription opioid use disorder when measured by: 




Sources: 
Amato L, Davoli M, Perucci C, Ferri M, Faggiano F, Mattick RP. An overview of systematic reviews of the effectiveness of opiate maintenance therapies: available evidence to inform clinical practice and research. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment 2005;28(4):321-29. 
Dole VP, Nyswander ME, Kreek MJ. Narcotic blockade. Archives of Internal Medicine 1966;118:304-09. 

Individuals are less likely to become involved in criminal activity while enrolled in comprehensive medication assisted treatment:  


Sources: 
Hubbard RL, Marsden ME, Rachal JV, Harwood HJ, Cavanaugh ER, Ginzburg HM. Drug Abuse Treatment: A National Study of Effectiveness. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 1989. 
Mattick RP, Breen C, Kimber J, Davoli M. Maintenance therapy versus no opioid replacement therapy for opioid dependence. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Issue 2, 2003. 

The likelihood of becoming and remaining employed is increased for patients who participate in comprehensive opioid treatment programs:


Sources: 
Maddux JF, Desmond DP. Crime and treatment of heroin users. The International Journal of the Addictions 1979;14(7):891-904. 
Powers KI, Anglin MD. Cumulative versus stabilizing effects of maintenance. Evaluation Review 1993;17(3):243-70. 

The treatment of opioid use disorder utilizing a combination of medication and individual/group counseling is the current accepted “standard of care” for pregnant women:


Sources: 
Effective Medical Treatment of Opiate Addiction: A National Consensus Panel Statement. National Institutes of Health (NIH).1998.
Jones HE, Fischer G, Heil SH, et al. Maternal Opioid Treatment: Human Experimental Research (MOTHER)--approach, issues and lessons learned. Addiction. 2012;107 Suppl 1(0 1):28-35. doi:10.1111/j.1360-0443.2012.04036.x

Understanding Medication Assisted Treatment

Opiate Addiction (2 Part Video) from HBO's Addiction Documentary

Helpful Links

and