Medically reviewed by Kevin Wandler, MD, Chief Medical Advisor
Recovery from opioid or alcohol use disorder can involve powerful cravings and withdrawal symptoms that make it hard to focus on anything else. For some people, medication can ease those symptoms and create space for the work of therapy. Medication-assisted treatment, often called MAT, combines FDA-approved medications with counseling and behavioral therapies to treat substance use disorders as the health conditions they are.
At Promises Dallas-Fort Worth in Lewisville, our medical team evaluates whether medication is appropriate for each person during detox and throughout treatment. When medication is part of care, it is combined with therapy and other support rather than offered on its own.
What Is Medication-Assisted Treatment?
SAMHSA describes MAT as the use of medications together with counseling and behavioral therapies to provide a whole-person approach to treating substance use disorders. The medications do not replace the work of recovery. Instead, they can help normalize brain chemistry, reduce cravings and ease withdrawal so that people can take full part in therapy and rebuild their lives.
MAT is sometimes misunderstood as trading one substance for another. That is not how federal health agencies describe it. When prescribed and monitored appropriately, these medications treat a medical condition, much as long-term medications help people manage conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure. The decision to use medication, and which one, is made individually with a medical provider.
MAT for Opioid Use Disorder
The FDA has approved several medications to treat opioid use disorder. In general terms, they work in different ways:
- Some act on the same brain receptors as opioids, but in a more controlled way, which can reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings without producing the same highs and lows.
- Others block the effects of opioids, so that using them does not produce the expected high.
NIDA and SAMHSA note that medications for opioid use disorder can help people stay in treatment and reduce the risk of overdose. Some medications can only be started after a person has gone without opioids for a period of time, while others may be started as withdrawal begins. These are clinical decisions based on your history, your health and your goals. MAT can be one part of our broader approach to opioid addiction treatment.
MAT for Alcohol Use Disorder
The FDA has also approved medications for alcohol use disorder. Depending on the medication, they may reduce cravings, lessen the rewarding feeling of drinking, help the brain adjust after drinking stops, or cause an unpleasant reaction if a person drinks. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism encourages people to talk with a health care provider about medication as one option for treating alcohol use disorder.
Medications used to manage alcohol withdrawal during detox are different from medications that support long-term recovery. During medical detox, the focus is on safety, because alcohol withdrawal can be life-threatening. After detox, the question becomes whether a medication might help lower the chance of returning to drinking. That conversation is part of alcohol addiction treatment at Promises DFW.
How MAT Works at Promises DFW
At Promises DFW, decisions about medication are made by our medical team together with you. The process generally includes:
- Medical and psychiatric evaluation: Your team reviews your substance use history, physical health, current medications, mental health and any past experience with MAT.
- Discussion of options: If medication may help, your provider explains how it works, possible side effects and what monitoring is involved. You can ask questions and share your preferences.
- Integration with therapy: Medication, when used, is paired with individual therapy, group therapy, family involvement and other evidence-based care.
- Ongoing review: Your team checks how you are responding and adjusts your plan as needed.
- Planning for discharge: If medication is part of your care, your aftercare plan can include referrals to help you continue treatment after you leave.
Not every person needs medication, and not every medication is right for every person. Whether a specific medication is used depends on clinical factors, and your provider will talk with you about what is appropriate in your situation.
MAT and Co-Occurring Mental Health Conditions
Many people with opioid or alcohol use disorder also live with depression, anxiety, trauma or another mental health condition. Psychiatric evaluation and medication management are part of care at Promises DFW, so any medications for mental health symptoms are considered alongside medications for substance use. This coordination helps your team watch for interactions and keeps your whole treatment plan working together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can MAT begin during detox?
Sometimes. Medication-assisted treatment may be used during detox when clinically appropriate. During opioid detox, for example, your medical team may evaluate whether medication can ease withdrawal and support the next phase of treatment.
I already take a medication for opioid use disorder. What should I do?
Tell our admissions team about your current prescription when you call. That information helps the medical team review it as part of your assessment.
How long do people stay on MAT?
There is no single timeline. SAMHSA notes that the length of treatment should be based on each person’s needs. Some people use medication for a shorter period, while others continue longer. Decisions about continuing or stopping should always be made with a prescriber.
Does insurance cover MAT?
Coverage for medications and treatment depends on your specific plan, medical necessity and prior authorization. Our free, confidential insurance verification can help clarify your benefits.
Talk With Us About Your Options
If you have questions about whether medication could be part of your recovery, our admissions team can help you take the first step toward an evaluation. Call (469) 546-9303 any time, see insurance options, or send us a message.