Definition:
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) is defined as the use of Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medications in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies in order to treat substance use disorders and prevent overdose. MAT is primarily used for treating addiction to opiates, but can be used in the treatment of other substances, like alcohol.
Examples of medications used in MAT are Antabuse, Buprenorpine (Suboxone), Methadone, and Naltrexone (Vivitrol).
For a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) article regarding MAT, click here.
To see the FDA's perspective on MAT, click here.