People With Opioid Use Disorder Deserve MAT Choices

Medication-Assisted Treatment is considered the “golden standard” for people recovering from opioid use disorder (OUD). Medication can help people get through tough cravings, but not all MAT regimens are the same. A recent study shows that people with OUD are happier when they can take the extended-release version of buprenorphine, also known by the brand name Suboxone.

An NIH study has shown that 40-50% of people who start a MAT drug still end up relapsing within six months of starting it. Preferences, and the dignity that comes with a choice, can make a difference in how people respond and follow through with their recovery plans.

Why is MAT Important?

The FDA  considers MAT to be an essential part of helping people get and stay sober. Addiction disorders are considered to be a disease of the brain. It causes many changes, including some that can cause withdrawal. Medications can help with cravings caused by long-term opioid use and help prevent relapse.

Treatment centers and other facilities understand that medication, alongside therapy, can help a person reduce their cravings and focus on their recovery. MAT is used primarily for OUD, but some forms are successful for other substances.

Extended-Release vs. Daily MAT Schedules

Extended-release medication is a monthly injection that users can take. For people taking Suboxone, it's easier than remembering to take a pill or sublingual film daily, and for many people, it helps them regain a sense of everyday life.

Researchers in Australia conducted a randomized trial to compare patient-reported outcomes for patients and discovered that patients were happier with the monthly dose.

MAT Choice Makes A Difference

The National Institute on Drug Abuse has noted that patients deserve options just like everyone else when it comes to addiction.

NIDA recommends “using patient preferences and patient-reported outcomes as measures of interest, rather than drug abstinence, fills an important research gap and may prove to be useful in medication trials moving forward.”

If a treatment drug is too cumbersome or the side effects intolerable, in other medicine, there are other choices offered. There is dignity and individuality in choosing the treatment for your disease. And choosing to get help is great, but following through is necessary. And listening to patients’ voices can make that difference that helps them stay the course.

Addiction isn't a one-size-fits-all disease, and individuals can be empowered to make decisions about treating it just like any disease.

Getting Help for Addiction

Do you or your loved one need help with addiction? Learn more about Medication-Assisted Treatment and how you can get help with opioid use disorder. All calls are 100% confidential.