What is Medicated Assisted Treatment (MAT)?
MAT is the use of FDA approved medications in addition to behavioral therapies in order to decrease cravings and the side effects of withdrawal.
How do I know if MAT is right for me, and which one to choose?
If you or someone you know is having a problem with opioids or other substances and has decided to seek out information about treatment, you have taken the first step to recovery. The next step is to call the Illinois Opioid Helpline at 1-833-2FINDHELP. A qualified representative will provide you with resources and answer your questions. You can also visit these websites to learn more, including how to talk to your family and friends about MAT:
Comparing Medications for Opioid Addiction (From SAMHSA's Decisions in Recovery website)
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Who's it For? |
Side Effects |
Accessibility |
Health Concerns |
Starting/Stopping |
Methadone |
- Able to get to an approved program
- Pregnant and post-partum women
- Have severe or chronic pain
- People being treated for HIV/AIDS
- People who do best with structured programs
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- Sweating
- Headache
- Constipation
- Drowsiness
- Nausea/vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Decreased sexual desire/ability
- Weight gain
- Memory and concentration problems
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Common forms
- Liquid
- Other forms may be available
How do I take it?
- Taken once a day
- Daily dosing offered at approved programs
- Some take home dosing permitted
- More frequent if doing well in long-term treatment
Cost
*Cost varies depending on state, insurance, and other factors. Talk to provider about payment options.
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Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding; very small amounts in breast milk
- Risk of withdrawal symptoms in infants born to mothers treated with methadone during pregnancy
HIV
*May be used during treatment for HIV; watch for drug interactions that require dosage adjustments; talk with your doctors
Hepatitis
*Has been used safely by people with hepatitis and by people being treated with interferon for Hepatitis C. Check with your doctors.
Chronic pain
*Usually safe to use methadone with other opioid medications prescribed for pain; dosage watched carefully due to overdose risk
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When can I start?
*Immediately
How long do I take it?
- Most effective when used for longer periods of time, at least one year
- Safe for long term use as maintenance therapy
- Periodic assessment of ongoing treatment needs based on what is right for you
What happens if I stop?
- Methadone withdrawal symptoms
- Dose can be gradually reduced instead
What if I use opioid drugs on this medication?
- High risk of overdose
- May not have euphoric effect
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Buprenorphine |
- Are best treated in doctors' offices
- Pregnant and postpartum women
- People being treated for HIV/AIDS
- Able to follow a treatment plan
- Motivated to try buprenorphine for MAT
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- Headache
- Stomach or back pain
- Constipation
- Nausea or Vomiting
- Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
- Sweating
- Mouth numbness, redness, or sores
- Tongue pain, swelling, or burning
- Excess fluid and swelling of feet or legs
- Blurred vision
- Intoxication (feeling lightheaded or drunk)
- Disturbance in attention
- Irregular heart beat (palpitations)
- Fainting
- Dizziness
- Sleepiness
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Common forms
- Film or pill
- Other forms; seldom used for treating addiction
How do I take it?
- Usually taken daily; must dissolve under the tongue or in mouth.
- Offered in various treatment programs
- Trained physicians provide it for office-based treatment
- Patients may get a prescription to take at home.
- Can be filled at any pharmacy
Cost
*Cost varies depending on state, insurance, and other factors. Talk to provider about payment options.
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Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Studies show buprenorphine safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding
- The form of buprenorphine that that does not contain naloxone is recommended during pregnancy and breast-feeding.
- Risk of withdrawal symptoms in infants born to mothers treated with buprenorphine during pregnancy
HIV
*May be used during HIV treatment. Smaller risk of drug interactions; talk with your doctors
Hepatitis
- The form of buprenorphine that contains naloxone should not be used if patients have severe liver impairment.
- Has been used safely by people with hepatitis. Liver damage reported mostly in people who already had liver conditions. Check with your doctor. Liver function tests recommended.
Chronic pain
- At high doses, buprenorphine can cancel out pain relieving effects of other opioid pain medications.
- Buprenorphine dosing for pain should be monitored carefully for overdose risk
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When can I start?
*12-24 hours after last use
How long do I take it?
- Most effective when used for 9 months or longer
- Considered safe for long-term use
- Periodic assessment of ongoing treatment needs based on what is right for you
What happens if I stop?
- Withdrawal, less intense, but unpleasant
- Withdrawal cannot be entirely "avoided" by gradually decreasing the buprenorphine dose.
- It is advisable to work with your doctor to gradually decrease your dose.
What if I use opioid drugs on this medication?
- Moderate risk of overdose
- May cancel out pain relieving effects of other opioids
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Naltrexone |
- Able to stop using for 7-10 days
- Mandated by court or employer
- People with alcohol problems
- Motivated to eliminate all opioids now
- Re-entering from prison or
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- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Stomach pain
- Decreased appetite
- Dry mouth
- Headache
- Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
- Diziness
- Tiredness
- Anxiety
- Joint pain or stiffness
- Muscle cramps
- Weakness
- Tenderness, redness, bruising, or itching at the injection site
- Constipation
- Irritability
- Tearfullness
- Increased or decreased energy
- Rash
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Common forms
*Long-acting injection or pill
How do I take it?
- Qualified medical professionals can prescribe the tablets or give injections
- Tablets are taken daily; long-acting injections are given monthly
- Outpatient programs may offer injectable naltrexone
Cost
*Cost varies depending on state, insurance, and other factors. Talk to provider about payment options.
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Pregnancy and breastfeeding
*Not recommended; no research on safety of use during pregnancy or breastfeeding
HIV
*Safe to use with HIV medications; low potential for HIV drug interactions
Hepatitis
*Liver damage is possible at very high doses. Most studies report no liver damage at recommended doses. Work closely with your doctor before starting.
Chronic pain
- May block effects of opioid medications taken for pain. Can cause withdrawal in people physically dependent on opioid pain medication, unless they stop all opioids 7-10 days before taking it.
- Non-opioid pain medication safe with naltrexone at all times. Talk with your doctor about naltrexone and pain.
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When can I start?
*After detox or 7-10 days after last use
How long do I take it?
- Long-acting injectable form stays in effect for 30 days
- The length of treatment should be individualized and determined in consultation with your doctor.
- Most studies have been over a 5 month period or longer
- Approved for treating alcohol dependency
What happens if I stop?
- A person who interrupts treatment with naltrexone and uses opioids sufficiently to become physically dependent again can experience withdrawal when naltrexone is re-introduced.
- High risk of overdose if opioid use is resumed - due to lowered tolerance.
What if I use opioid drugs on this medication?
- May block effects of opioids
- Taking large amounts to override blocking effect has resulted in fatalities
- Naltrexone blocks the effects of an opioid and attempts to override the blocking can result in an opioid overdose.
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Is It Safe?
Yes. All forms of MAT listed above have been approved by the Federal Drug Administration. Information about side effects:
The Facts about Buprenorphine for Treatment of Opioid Addiction
Vivitrol Information
Methadone: Uses, Side Effects
Does It Work?
"Medication-assisted treatment saves lives while increasing the chances a person will remain in treatment and learn the skills and build the networks necessary for long-term recovery. " Michael Botticelli, Director, National Drug Control Policy
For most people, the use of medications combined with psychosocial treatment is superior to drug or psychosocial treatment on its own. For example, research shows that MAT significantly increases a patient's adherence to treatment and reduces illicit opioid use compared with nondrug approaches. By reducing risk behaviors such as injection of illicit drugs, it also decreases transmission of infectious diseases such as HIV and hepatitis C. There are decades of research concluding MAT is more effective than most other forms of treatment, especially in the case of opioids. For more information and the latest scholarly research, visit our MAT Resources Page.
Where is it available near me?
Call the Illinois Opioid Helpline to find help in your area.