Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is an evidence-based addiction treatment approach for substance use disorders. It combines FDA-approved medications with behavioral therapy for treatment to help people reduce cravings, manage withdrawal, and build a stable foundation for recovery. For adults in Massachusetts struggling with opioid or alcohol addiction, MAT is an effective treatment that can be a life-changing first step.
At Power of Recovery, a Joint Commission-accredited outpatient treatment center in Revere, Massachusetts, MAT is offered as part of a comprehensive, individualized care plan. The team understands addiction from the inside out because some of our staff members are personally in recovery. If you or someone you love is ready to explore substance abuse and mental health treatment services, Power of Recovery is here to help them start their Day 1.
Power of Recovery integrates MAT into every level of outpatient care, from PHP to IOP to standard outpatient services. The approach is grounded in current research and guided by a team that combines clinical expertise with lived recovery experience.
MAT is important because it treats addiction as one of many medical conditions, not a moral failure. Without medical support, withdrawal symptoms and cravings can make recovery feel impossible—especially in the early stages.
Every MAT plan at Power of Recovery is personalized. No two people experience addiction the same way, and no two treatment plans should look the same either.
What to Expect in the MAT Program
MAT is defined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) as the use of medications combined with counseling and behavioral therapies to treat substance use disorders. The goal is to support the whole patient, with medications combined with behavioral therapy for effective treatment rather than focusing only on symptoms.
Key components of MAT include:
- FDA-approved medications to reduce cravings and withdrawal
- Individual and group counseling
- Behavioral therapy
- Ongoing medical supervision
- Peer support and community connection
MAT works by targeting the brain’s reward system, which is directly affected by substance use. Medications used in MAT either block the euphoric effects of drugs, reduce cravings, or ease withdrawal symptoms so the body can stabilize.
This stabilization allows individuals to focus on therapy, rebuild relationships, and return to daily responsibilities without being consumed by the physical symptoms of withdrawal.
MAT is most commonly used to treat opioid use disorder (OUD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD). These two conditions carry some of the highest risks of relapse and overdose, making medical support especially critical.
MAT may also support recovery from other substance dependencies when clinically appropriate, always under the guidance of a licensed medical provider.
Medications Used in Medication-Assisted Treatment
Three FDA-approved medications are used for opioid use disorder:
- Buprenorphine: A partial opioid agonist that reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms by partially activating opioid receptors without producing a high
- Methadone: A synthetic opioid used in clinical settings to reduce cravings and withdrawal, dispensed through licensed clinics
- Naltrexone: Blocks opioid receptors and prevents euphoria from opioids if they are used
Each medication is matched to the individual based on their history, health, and recovery goals.
For alcohol use disorder, three medications are commonly prescribed:
- Naltrexone: Reduces the pleasurable effects of alcohol and decreases cravings
- Acamprosate: Helps restore brain chemistry disrupted by long-term alcohol use, reducing anxiety and discomfort in early sobriety
- Disulfiram: Creates an unpleasant physical reaction when alcohol is consumed, acting as a deterrent
These medications are most effective when combined with counseling and behavioral support.
MAT medications help the brain heal and can help people sustain recovery over time while they build the skills and support systems needed for lasting change. People who use MAT are significantly more likely to stay in treatment and avoid relapse. MAT has also been shown to reduce overdose deaths and lower the risk of infectious diseases related to injection drug use.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), medications for opioid use disorder reduce opioid use, criminal activity, and the transmission of infectious diseases, while also improving quality of life for the patient in recovery.
How Medication-Assisted Treatment Supports Recovery
Withdrawal is one of the biggest barriers to recovery. Symptoms like nausea, anxiety, insomnia, and intense cravings can feel unbearable without support, and medication-assisted treatment helps relieve physical withdrawal symptoms by addressing the physical aspects of dependence. MAT medications relieve discomfort and psychological cravings, making the early days of recovery more manageable.
By helping manage cravings and withdrawal symptoms effectively, individuals are better able to engage in therapy, attend appointments, and stay connected to their support network.
Long-term substance use can cause chemical imbalances and changes to the brain’s chemistry and structure. MAT uses medications to restore balance in the brain circuits affected by addiction and stabilize brain circuits, helping people focus on recovery while supporting clearer thinking, better emotional regulation, and improved decision-making.
As brain function improves, people are better equipped to handle stress, maintain relationships, and meet daily responsibilities at work or home.
Relapse is a common part of the recovery process, but it carries serious risks, especially for opioid use disorder. After a period of abstinence, tolerance drops significantly, making a return to previous use levels potentially fatal.
MAT reduces the risk of relapse and, in the event of relapse, reduces the risk of overdose. Studies show that MAT can reduce opioid overdose deaths by up to 50%, according to research published through SAMHSA.
Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment
MAT is backed by decades of clinical research. Patients receiving MAT for opioid use disorder are more than twice as likely to remain in treatment compared to those who do not use medication.
Higher treatment retention directly correlates with better long-term outcomes, including reduced substance use, improved mental health, and lower rates of criminal activity.
For individuals with opioid use disorder, the risk of fatal overdose is highest in the period immediately following a relapse. Some MAT medications block the euphoric effects of opioids or alcohol, while others stabilize the brain’s response and reduce risk; medications such as naltrexone can also block the effects of other opioids.
This protective effect makes MAT one of the most important tools available in the fight against the opioid crisis in Massachusetts and across the country.
One of the most meaningful benefits of MAT is the ability to return to everyday life. People on MAT can work, attend school, care for their families, and participate in their communities without being consumed by cravings or withdrawal.
This is especially important for working professionals and parents who cannot step away from their responsibilities to pursue recovery.
MAT is never used in isolation at Power of Recovery. Medications are always paired with individual counseling, group therapy, and peer support. This whole-person approach addresses both the physical and psychological roots of addiction.
By treating the mind and body together, MAT within a comprehensive program produces outcomes that medication or therapy alone cannot achieve.
Who Should Consider Medication-Assisted Treatment?
Someone may be a good candidate for MAT if they:
- Have been diagnosed with opioid or alcohol use disorder
- Experience severe cravings or withdrawal symptoms
- Have tried to stop using substances without medical support and struggled
- Are at high risk for overdose
- Want a medically supported path to recovery
A thorough assessment by a physician or doctor is the best way to determine whether MAT is the right fit before starting.
Many people struggling with addiction also live with depression, anxiety, PTSD, or other mental health conditions, a presentation known as dual diagnosis. MAT can be an important part of treatment for these individuals, helping to stabilize the physical side of addiction while therapy addresses underlying mental health needs.
Power of Recovery’s half-day treatment program is designed to support individuals with co-occurring conditions through integrated, flexible care.
Relapse does not mean failure. It means the current treatment plan needs adjustment. For individuals who have relapsed, MAT provides an added layer of medical support and accountability that can make the difference in the next attempt at recovery.
Structured relapse-prevention services, combined with MAT, give people the tools and the medical foundation to move forward with greater confidence.
MAT Programs and Services at Power of Recovery
Power of Recovery provides MAT in combination with outpatient counseling, group therapy, and peer support. Services are designed to meet people where they are, whether they are just beginning recovery or rebuilding after a relapse.
The team includes licensed clinicians, medical providers, and recovery coaches who work together to deliver coordinated, compassionate care.
No two people experience addiction the same way, and no two MAT plans look the same at Power of Recovery. Each plan is built around the individual’s history, health, goals, and life circumstances.
Medical supervision is ongoing throughout the MAT process, with regular check-ins to adjust medications and monitor progress.
Recovery does not end when treatment does. Power of Recovery supports clients through the transition to independent recovery with continued access to peer support, group programming, and community connection.
The addiction family support group is one example of how Power of Recovery extends care beyond the individual to the people who love them.
Getting Started With Medication-Assisted Treatment
Taking the first step toward MAT can feel overwhelming, but it does not have to be. Power of Recovery makes the process straightforward, supportive, and judgment-free from the very first contact.
Recovery is possible. It starts with one decision, one phone call, one Day 1. Power of Recovery is ready to walk alongside anyone who is ready to take that step, with the clinical expertise, lived experience, and genuine compassion that make the difference. Reach out to Power of Recovery today to schedule a confidential assessment and find out whether medication-assisted treatment is the right path forward. Day 1 starts now.
MAT FAQ
Traditional detox focuses on safely removing substances from the body over a short period. Medication-assisted treatment goes further by using ongoing medications and therapy to support long-term recovery—not just initial withdrawal. MAT addresses the sustained physical and psychological dimensions of addiction that detox alone does not treat.
No, this is one of the most common misconceptions about MAT. The medications used in MAT are prescribed at controlled doses under medical supervision and do not produce the euphoric high associated with substance misuse.
Using MAT is no different from a person with diabetes using insulin. It is medical treatment for a medical condition.
Yes. Recovery is defined by improved health, stability, and quality of life—not by the absence of all medications. Many people in long-term, meaningful recovery use MAT as part of their treatment plan.
Major recovery organizations, including SAMHSA and the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), recognize MAT as a valid and effective path to sobriety.
No. The duration of MAT varies based on individual needs. For some people, MAT is a short-term bridge through early recovery. For others, it is a long-term tool that supports sustained wellness.
There is no one-size-fits-all timeline. What matters most is that the treatment plan is working and that the individual is thriving.
The length of MAT varies by individual. Some people use MAT for several months, while others benefit from longer-term use. Duration is determined by clinical progress, personal goals, and the recommendation of a medical provider.
Yes. One of the key benefits of MAT is that it allows individuals to maintain daily responsibilities, including work and school. Outpatient MAT programs are specifically designed to fit around real-life schedules.
Yes. MAT includes FDA-approved medications for both opioid use disorder and alcohol use disorder. A clinical assessment will determine which medications and treatment approaches are most appropriate for each individual.
Contact Power of Recovery by phone or through the website to schedule a confidential assessment. The team will guide each person through the evaluation process and help develop a personalized treatment plan.
