Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) for addiction: A Hoag expert explains

For decades, addiction recovery was seen through a single lens: abstinence. But as the opioid crisis deepened, so did the research behind addiction and the treatments that help people reclaim their lives.

“One of the most transformative developments in addiction medicine has been Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), or more accurately, what experts today call Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD),” said Hoag Addiction Treatment Centers’ Chief of Service Steven Ey, MD.

Here’s what you need to know about how it works, why it’s effective, and how it’s saving lives.

1. MAT has been around longer than you think

While social media may make it sound new, MAT has been around for decades. In the 1960s and 70s, methadone emerged to help people addicted to heroin stay off dangerous street drugs, as well as reduce crime and the spread of disease. Then, in 2002, buprenorphine was approved for treating opioid use disorder.

Unlike methadone, buprenorphine can be prescribed in a regular medical office by trained providers—making treatment far more accessible for those who need it.

2. It’s not about replacing one drug with another

“This is one of the biggest misconceptions about MAT,” Dr. Ey said. “Buprenorphine is a partial agonist, meaning it satisfies the brain’s craving without producing the intense high or the deadly respiratory depression that drugs like fentanyl or heroin cause. It also has a ceiling effect, so increasing the dose doesn’t increase the risk of overdose.”

In short, medications like buprenorphine act on the same opioid receptors in the brain, but in a controlled and safer way.

3. It’s about harm reduction and stability

For individuals struggling with chronic opioid addiction, especially those who have been in and out of multiple treatment programs, MAT can mean the difference between chaos and stability.

Research shows that people on MAT are more likely to:

• Maintain employment

• Repair and sustain relationships

• Have stable housing

• Experience fewer hospitalizations and ER visits

• Remain in treatment/recovery

This approach, known as harm reduction, focuses on improving quality of life, not just abstaining from all substances. Many in the field now consider individuals on buprenorphine to be sober because they’re no longer engaging in harmful or illegal drug use.

4. The language is changing—and that’s important

The term “Medication-Assisted Treatment” is gradually being replaced by Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD). Or simply, treatment.

“The word ‘assisted’ implies that medication is a crutch or lesser form of recovery,” said Dr. Ey. “No one says a diabetic is on ‘medication-assisted treatment with insulin.’ It’s simply medical care for a chronic disease.”

Reframing addiction as a chronic medical condition helps reduce stigma and encourages more people to seek help.

5. It requires commitment—but it’s worth it

While buprenorphine and similar medications are safe and effective, they do require ongoing engagement with a healthcare provider. Patients typically need regular check-ins, drug screenings, and monitoring to ensure success.

6. MAT can be a short-term or lifelong solution

Some people use buprenorphine for a few months, then successfully taper off. Others stay on it for years, or life, and that’s okay.

Addiction, like diabetes or hypertension, is a chronic condition. For some, medication is a lifelong part of maintaining health.

7. There are options for alcohol use disorders too

While MAT typically refers to opioid addiction, there are also medications for alcohol use disorder, such as naltrexone and acamprosate, which help reduce cravings. Like buprenorphine, they can be part of a comprehensive treatment plan for alcohol dependency.

The bottom line

Medication-assisted, or medication-based treatment isn’t a shortcut. It’s a scientifically validated, life-saving approach that recognizes addiction as a medical condition, not a moral failing.

“By reducing cravings, improving stability, and removing the stigma around treatment, MAT gives people the chance to rebuild their lives,” said Dr. Ey, “and that’s the true goal of recovery.”

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, please call our team at 949-764-6883.