What is MAT?
How MAT Works
Side Effects
MAT & Counseling
MAT Myths
100

This is the main purpose of MAT in treating addiction.

reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms

  • Explanation: MAT helps manage physical cravings and withdrawal symptoms, making it easier for people to stop using drugs.
100

This MAT medication helps reduce the intense cravings for opioids.

buprenorphine

  • Explanation: Buprenorphine helps reduce the strong cravings for opioids, allowing people to focus on their recovery.


100

One common side effect of MAT is feeling drowsy. Name one way to manage it.

adjusting the dose or talking to your healthcare provider

  • Explanation: If you feel drowsy on MAT, your doctor can adjust your dose or offer ways to help manage this side effect.
100

MAT works best when combined with this type of support.

counseling or therapy

  • Explanation: Counseling helps you work through the emotional and psychological challenges of recovery, making MAT more effective.
100

True or False: People using MAT are just substituting one drug for another.

false. MAT is a medically supervised treatment that helps reduce cravings and prevent relapse.

  • Explanation: MAT is not the same as using drugs. It’s a carefully controlled treatment that helps people manage addiction and stay in recovery.
200

Name one common MAT medication used for opioid use disorder.

methadone (or buprenorphine)

  • Explanation: Both methadone and buprenorphine help reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms, making it easier to quit opioids.
200

Methadone works by doing this in the brain to help people with opioid use disorder.

activating opioid receptors to reduce cravings

  • Explanation: Methadone activates the same receptors in the brain as opioids, but in a controlled way that reduces cravings without causing a high.
200

This side effect can happen when starting methadone or buprenorphine, especially in the first few days.

nausea

  • Explanation: Nausea is common when starting MAT, but it usually gets better after a few days as your body adjusts to the medication.
200

Counseling helps you learn new ways to cope with these.

triggers and cravings

  • Explanation: Counseling teaches you how to handle the situations and feelings that may lead to relapse, helping you stay in recovery
200

Some believe that individuals on MAT are not truly committed to recovery. What is a key reason this belief is misleading?

MAT provides essential support for individuals to manage cravings and withdrawal, allowing them to focus on comprehensive recovery strategies 

300

This concept refers to the ability of MAT to improve retention in treatment compared to traditional abstinence-only approaches.

treatment engagement or retention

  • Explanation: MAT has been shown to significantly improve treatment retention rates, meaning individuals are more likely to stay in treatment and continue their recovery journey compared to those who only use abstinence-based approaches.
300

This MAT medication can be started after a short detox period and helps prevent withdrawal symptoms.

Suboxone

  • Explanation: Buprenorphine can be prescribed after a brief detox period, and it helps prevent withdrawal symptoms while reducing cravings, making it an effective treatment option for those in recovery.
300

Buprenorphine can cause this side effect, which can be managed by drinking water and eating fiber.

constipation

  • Explanation: Constipation can happen with buprenorphine, but you can manage it by staying hydrated and eating fiber-rich foods.
300

This type of support helps individuals deal with personal issues and life challenges during recovery.

individual counseling

  • Explanation: Individual counseling provides a safe space for people to explore personal challenges, develop coping strategies, and address underlying issues that may contribute to substance use, enhancing the effectiveness of MAT.
300

True or False: Patients using MAT for opioid use disorder can safely discontinue their medication without professional guidance after achieving a period of stability.

false. Discontinuing MAT without professional guidance can lead to a high risk of relapse and withdrawal symptoms.

400

This MAT medication helps block the “high” from opioids.

naltrexone

  • Explanation: Naltrexone blocks the brain’s receptors that cause the “high” from opioids, helping people stay in recovery by reducing the reward from drug use.


400

MAT helps prevent relapse by reducing these two things.

cravings and withdrawal symptoms

  • Explanation: MAT helps by controlling the physical cravings and withdrawal symptoms that can make it hard to stop using substances.
400

Name one side effect of Naltrexone that people should look out for.

headache (or nausea, dizziness)

  • Explanation: Some people experience headaches or dizziness when taking Naltrexone, but these side effects usually go away as the body adjusts.
400

This type of approach involves both MAT and therapy to create a well-rounded treatment plan.

integrated treatment

  • Explanation: Integrated treatment combines medication-assisted treatment (MAT) with counseling and other therapeutic approaches to address both the physical and emotional aspects of addiction, leading to better recovery outcomes.
400

This is a common myth about Naltrexone and alcohol.

"Naltrexone makes you sick if you drink alcohol"? (Naltrexone reduces the pleasure of drinking but doesn’t cause illness).

  • Explanation: Naltrexone doesn’t make you sick if you drink, but it does reduce the pleasure you get from alcohol, which can help you drink less.
500

Name one benefit of using MAT as part of a treatment plan for addiction.

increased chances of successful recovery

  • Explanation: MAT has been shown to increase the chances of successful recovery by reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms, helping individuals stay in treatment and avoid relapse.
500

This phenomenon describes the body's adaptation to MAT medications, often requiring dosage adjustments over time.

tolerance

  • Explanation: Tolerance occurs when the body becomes accustomed to a medication, which may lead to a need for dosage adjustments to maintain the desired effects in managing cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
500

What is a potential long-term side effect of using methadone for MAT that requires regular monitoring?

QT interval prolongation

  • Explanation: Methadone can cause changes in heart rhythm, specifically prolonging the QT interval, which can lead to serious heart issues. Regular monitoring through EKGs is important to ensure safety
500

Name one type of counseling that is often combined with MAT for best results.

cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) (or group therapy)

  • Explanation: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is commonly used with MAT because it helps people change harmful thinking patterns and behaviors.
500

What misconception exists regarding the role of MAT in the context of addiction recovery, particularly concerning the concept of “true recovery”?

belief that true recovery can only be achieved without any medication?

  • Explanation: A common myth is that real recovery means being completely drug-free, without any medication. However, MAT is an evidence-based approach that supports recovery for many individuals, addressing both physical dependence and psychological aspects of addiction. It recognizes that recovery can be a lifelong process that benefits from medication as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
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