Medication-Assisted Treatment: What It Actually Means and How It Works

The Illinois Department of Public Health’s Semiannual Overdose Data Report tracked an overall decrease in opioid overdose-related EMS responses through March 2024, and the expanded access to evidence-based treatment is part of the reason why. 

Even so, only about one in four people with opioid use disorder receive Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) nationally. If you’re researching MAT, this guide walks through how it works, which medications the FDA has approved, and what to expect at a Joliet outpatient clinic. Treatment outcomes vary based on individual circumstances and goals.

What is Medication-Assisted Treatment? 

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) works with your body’s biology to ease cravings when you’re living with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). Repeated opioid exposure rewires your brain’s reward system over time. Your body raises the threshold for what feels normal, so the absence of opioids feels more intense than it otherwise would. 

The FDA-approved medications used in MAT occupy the same brain receptors that opioids target. The medications stabilize your brain’s reward system and reduce the physical pull of cravings and withdrawal you might experience. With MAT, you have a physiological baseline from which counseling and daily life become more manageable. 

Today, clinicians prefer the term Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) because it better reflects the clinical reality. Medication is the primary, evidence-based treatment for OUD. 

Who Is MAT For? 

If you’re using opioids such as heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone, and hydrocodone, you’ll know how challenging stability can be. Whether your goal is to taper your usage, improve your quality of life or simply move through a day without cravings, MAT is designed to support you safely. 

OUD is a medical diagnosis. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR), a clinician diagnoses OUD when at least two of the following criteria are met within 12 months: 

• Taking opioids in larger amounts or for longer than you intended
• Trying to cut down or stop but being unable to
• Spending a lot of time getting, using, or recovering from opioids
• Experiencing strong cravings or urges to use
• Falling behind on responsibilities at work, school, or home
• Continuing to use despite problems in relationships
• Giving up activities you used to care about
• Using opioids in physically dangerous situations
• Continuing to use despite knowing it’s worsening a physical or mental health problem
• Needing more opioids to get the same effect (tolerance)
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when stopping or cutting back

Clinicians also assess severity: meeting 2–3 criteria indicates mild OUD, 4–5 indicates moderate, and 6 or more indicates severe.

One important nuance is that physical dependence on its own, such as the kind that can develop when you take a legitimate prescription as directed, is separate from OUD. Clinicians define addiction by loss of control and compulsive use, which is why a medical professional performs a full assessment to confirm the diagnosis. 

The Science Behind Why Medication Works

Opioid use disorder changes the brain in measurable ways. Clinicians classify OUD as a chronic disease, and treating it with medication follows the same clinical logic as treating any other chronic condition. 

Many patients find that MAT improves their odds across multiple measures. According to research summarized by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, people who receive MAT are more likely to stay engaged in care and less likely to experience an overdose than those attempting to detox alone. Medication addresses the biological side of OUD. Counseling addresses the triggers and mental health factors that shaped the condition. Combining the two often produces better outcomes than either approach alone. Treatment outcomes vary based on individual circumstances and goals.

How MAT Works in Practice 

Each MAT medication works through a different mechanism, and your care team matches the right one to your situation. The FDA has approved three medications for treating OUD: methadone, buprenorphine-naloxone (Suboxone), and naltrexone. Symetria Recovery’s Joliet clinic offers methadone and Suboxone, which are dispensed on-site.

Methadone 

Methadone is one of the most established and widely used treatments for OUD. As a full opioid agonist, Methadone fully activates the opioid receptors in your brain, which relieves withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Because methadone is taken orally and absorbed slowly, it does not produce the intense euphoria associated with heroin or other fast-acting opioids at prescribed doses. Unlike buprenorphine-naloxone, Methadone can be started without waiting for the withdrawal symptoms to begin, which makes it a strong option for many patients. 

Methadone calls for careful monitoring and daily clinic visits during the first few weeks of treatment. Only Licensed Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs) can dispense Methadone for OUD, such as the Methadone treatment at Symetria Recovery’s Joliet clinic.  

Suboxone 

Suboxone is also known as buprenorphine-naloxone, after its two active ingredients. Buprenorphine partially activates opioid receptors and binds to them more tightly than most full opioids. When it is started while a full opioid is still present in the body, it displaces that opioid and rapidly lowers receptor activation. This can trigger precipitated withdrawal, a sudden and intense onset of withdrawal symptoms that may feel more severe than typical withdrawal.

Before you start a treatment plan, your medical provider walks you through a detailed assessment that covers your current health, mental well-being, usage history, and the factors contributing to your opioid use. Your medical provider then uses a withdrawal assessment tool to determine the safest moment for your first dose. 

When you take Suboxone as prescribed by placing it under your tongue, the naloxone in it is absorbed poorly and has little effect on your body. It is there primarily as a safeguard against misuse. If Suboxone were injected instead of taken as directed, the naloxone would become fully active, block opioid receptors, and bring on withdrawal symptoms. During normal use, it is the buprenorphine that does the heavy lifting, holding tightly to opioid receptors and reducing the effects of any other opioids taken at the same time. Learn more about Suboxone treatment at Symetria’s Joliet clinic.

Important safety information: Combining Suboxone with benzodiazepines (such as Xanax or Valium), alcohol, nerve pain medications like gabapentin, or other sedating medications significantly increases the risk of slowed or stopped breathing. Tell your provider about all medications you take, including over-the-counter drugs. Your provider will work with you to manage these safely by adjusting your treatment plan. All patients starting Suboxone should have naloxone available at home in case of emergency.

What a Typical MAT Treatment Plan Looks Like 

At Symetria Recovery, your care team builds your treatment plan around you. The Symetria Method® is a patient-centered system of care, not a one-size-fits-all program. Your initial assessment runs about three hours and includes an in-person medical evaluation, bloodwork, on-site mental health screening, and dose management through the on-site pharmacy. 

During that first visit, your care team learns about your goals and current situation before recommending a treatment route. Evidence-based care happens in private rooms designed to give you space to talk openly with your medical provider. Your care team observes your response to treatment so your safety remains the priority throughout.

Follow-up appointments typically run for 45 to 60 minutes. During those visits, your provider adjusts your medication based on how you’re responding. You also have access to a counseling team that supports the behavioral side of your treatment, and Symetria offers unlimited counseling so you can engage as often as fits your needs. You and your care team make decisions together. 

The Symetria Method® is a non-punitive system of care. If you continue using substances during treatment, your care team responds with evidence-based interventions designed to promote safety and keep you supported, including overdose education, naloxone access, and support for safer use practices. Your care continues. 

Take the Next Step Toward Recovery

If what you’ve read here speaks to your situation, the next step is a conversation. Symetria Recovery’s Joliet clinic strives to offer same-day or next-day assessments and meets you wherever you are in your recovery.

Medication initiation timing depends on when you’re in adequate withdrawal, which varies by individual and the substance you’ve been using. While we strive to offer same-day appointments, your provider will determine the safest time to start medication based on your withdrawal symptoms.

Your care team will answer your questions and help you choose a plan that fits your life. Call (866) 287-5921 or fill out the contact form to start the conversation today. Treatment outcomes vary based on individual circumstances and goals.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice about Medication-Assisted Treatment, Medications for Opioid Use Disorder, or any specific medication discussed below. Always consult a qualified medical professional before making treatment decisions.