If you’re exploring recovery options for opioid use disorder, you’ve probably heard the term “medication-assisted treatment” or MAT. You might be wondering what it actually means and whether it could work for you.
Here’s the straightforward answer: MAT is a treatment approach that uses FDA-approved medications together with counseling and behavioral therapy to support recovery from opioid use disorder. It addresses both the physical effects of opioid dependence and the psychological aspects of addiction.
At Crossroads Treatment Centers, this is what we do. We specialize in helping people recover from opioid use disorder using medication-assisted treatment, and we’ve seen it change thousands of lives.
MAT vs. MOUD: What’s the Difference?
You might hear the term MOUD, which stands for “Medications for Opioid Use Disorder.” Both MAT and MOUD refer to using FDA-approved medications to treat opioid addiction, and they’re often used interchangeably.
The main difference is that MAT is a broader term that emphasizes the combination of medication with counseling and behavioral therapy. MOUD focuses specifically on the medication component itself. In recent years, many professionals have shifted to using MOUD because it reinforces that medication is a legitimate, evidence-based treatment—not just an “assist” to therapy.
At Crossroads, we use both terms and follow the full approach: medication plus counseling and support. What matters most isn’t the terminology—it’s getting you the comprehensive care that works.
The FDA-Approved Medications for Opioid Use Disorder
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved medications in three main categories for treating opioid use disorder: buprenorphine (available alone or combined with naloxone in products like Suboxone®), methadone, and naltrexone (such as Vivitrol®). Each one works differently, and the right choice depends on your situation, your medical history and what your body responds to best.
You’ll hear both medication names and brand names when discussing treatment. Here’s what you need to know about each:
Suboxone® (Buprenorphine + Naloxone)
Suboxone® is one of the most commonly prescribed medications for opioid use disorder. It combines buprenorphine with naloxone in a single medication. The buprenorphine handles cravings and withdrawal. The naloxone is there to discourage misuse—if someone tries to inject Suboxone®, the naloxone triggers withdrawal symptoms, making abuse unpleasant. When you take it as prescribed by dissolving it under your tongue, the naloxone doesn’t interfere and the buprenorphine does its job.
Suboxone® allows many people to manage their treatment at home after initial stabilization.
Buprenorphine (Subutex, Sublocade, Brixadi)
Buprenorphine works by partially activating your brain’s opioid receptors. Because its effect is limited compared to drugs like heroin or prescription opioids, it helps ease withdrawal and reduce cravings without producing an intense high.
Common brand names:
- Subutex – Buprenorphine alone, typically taken as a tablet that dissolves under your tongue
- Sublocade and Brixadi – Long-acting injectable (LAI) forms that last for weeks or a month
After an initial period of medical oversight, many people taking oral buprenorphine continue treatment at home.
Methadone
Methadone is a full opioid agonist, which means it activates opioid receptors fully but in a controlled, stable way. This medication has been used for decades and is highly effective at reducing cravings and withdrawal. It comes as a liquid, powder or dissolvable tablet.
Because methadone carries some risk of misuse, you receive it daily at a specialized clinic, especially during early treatment. There is no commonly used brand name for methadone—it’s typically dispensed as a generic medication.
Vivitrol® (Naltrexone)
Vivitrol® is the brand name for the long-acting injectable form of naltrexone, given as a once-monthly injection. Naltrexone also comes as a daily pill (generic naltrexone).
Naltrexone works differently from the other medications. It’s an opioid antagonist, which means it blocks opioid receptors entirely. If you use opioids while taking naltrexone, they won’t have any effect. This option works well for people who have already completed detox and want help preventing relapse.
These Are Medical Treatments
All of these medications are safe, effective and backed by decades of research. They’re not replacing one addiction with another. They’re medical treatments that give your brain the space it needs to heal.
How MAT Works in Your Brain
Opioids change your brain over time. They flood opioid receptors with artificial signals, which causes your brain to stop producing its own natural chemicals. This creates a physical dependence that makes stopping extremely difficult without help.
Medication-assisted treatment works by restoring balance. Buprenorphine and methadone stabilize the receptors, preventing withdrawal without producing euphoria. Naltrexone blocks the receptors entirely, so opioids have no effect if you use them.
When your brain is stable, something important happens: your prefrontal cortex can begin healing. This is the part of your brain responsible for decision-making and impulse control. With cravings managed, you can focus on learning new patterns and building a life in recovery rather than just trying to make it through the day without using.
Ready to Learn More About MAT?
Talk to our medical team about which medication option might be right for you.
Schedule Your IntakeWhy Counseling and Support Services Matter in MAT
Medication addresses the physical side of opioid use disorder—the cravings, the withdrawal, the brain chemistry. Counseling and support services address everything else: the stress, the trauma, the patterns, the triggers, the relationships.
Both are necessary for lasting recovery.
In counseling, where available, you work with someone trained to help you understand what led to your substance use in the first place. This might include past trauma, mental health conditions or difficult life circumstances you’ve been dealing with. You learn to identify your triggers and develop strategies for handling them without turning to drugs. You also build skills for improving relationships, managing stress and dealing with difficult emotions.
Our care managers provide care coordination services to help you navigate the practical aspects of recovery. They can connect you with resources like housing assistance, transportation support, employment services and other community resources you might need. This comprehensive support helps address barriers to treatment and ensures you have access to services beyond medication management.
At centers where counseling is available, we offer both individual and group sessions. Individual sessions give you space to work through your own story. Group counseling connects you with other people who are going through the same thing, which helps you feel less alone and builds community.
What the Research Shows
The evidence for medication-assisted treatment is strong. Research shows that MAT reduces the risk of overdose death. It helps people stay in treatment longer. It improves quality of life and allows people to return to work, school and family responsibilities.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention all support MAT as the standard of care for opioid use disorder. This isn’t experimental or controversial—it’s evidence-based medicine.
Addressing Common Concerns About MAT
“Isn’t this just replacing one drug with another?”
No. The medications used in MAT are prescribed at stable doses, taken as directed and don’t produce a high. They’re medical treatments that allow your brain to heal, not recreational drugs. The difference between taking methadone at a clinic and using heroin on the street is the same as the difference between taking prescribed blood pressure medication and drinking coffee all day to stay awake. One is medicine. The other is self-medication.
“Am I really sober if I’m taking medication?”
Recovery means getting your life back. It means being able to work, care for your family and make decisions based on what you want, not what your next dose requires. If medication helps you do that, then yes, you’re in recovery. Just as a person with diabetes takes insulin to manage their condition, someone with opioid use disorder may need medication to manage theirs. Both are medical conditions. Both deserve medical treatment.
“Will I be on medication forever?”
Maybe. Maybe not. Some people stay on medication for months. Others stay on it for years or even indefinitely. Research shows that longer treatment leads to better outcomes, so there’s no rush to taper off. The goal is finding what works for you and supports your recovery. Your provider will work with you to determine the right timeline based on your progress and your goals.
MAT at Crossroads Treatment Centers
At Crossroads, we offer all three FDA-approved medication categories for opioid use disorder. Our medical providers—including doctors, nurse practitioners and physician assistants—meet with you individually to figure out which option makes the most sense for where you are right now.
Many of our centers are CARF-accredited, which means they meet rigorous standards for quality and outcomes. This isn’t just treatment. It’s treatment that works.
Paying for Treatment
Cost shouldn’t be the reason you don’t get help. We accept Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, the VA Community Care Network and most commercial insurance plans. If you don’t have insurance, we offer self-pay options. Some people qualify for grant assistance.
Let’s figure out what works for your situation.
How to Get Started
If you’re ready to begin, contact Crossroads Treatment Centers to schedule an intake appointment. Many of our centers offer same-day and virtual intakes, so you don’t have to wait.
During your visit, we’ll listen to your story and build a treatment plan around your needs—not around a one-size-fits-all protocol.
Recovery is possible. With the right support, you can build a life you’re genuinely proud of. We’re here to help you take that first step.
We’re Here When You’re Ready
Find a Crossroads Treatment Center near you and start your recovery journey today.
Find a Center Near You