5 Myths About Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)

Myths and Misconceptions About Medication Assisted Treatment

Myth 1: MAT Is Just Another Form of Addiction

Those who are against medication-assisted treatment often say that medication simply trades one addiction for another.

This could not be further from the truth. Medication helps individuals stabilize their addiction and minimizes cravings for dangerous substances.

This allows those in recovery to focus on achieving sobriety instead of having their thoughts consumed with getting their hands on illicit drugs.

Myth 2: MAT Results in More Overdoses

One major misconception about medication-assisted treatment is that it results in more overdoses.

However, studies have found the opposite to be true. According to the National Institute of Health, overdoses decrease in those in MAT programs.

Death by overdose in patients using methadone decreased by 59%, and overdose in patients using buprenorphine decreased by 38%. 

Myth 3: Pregnant Women Cannot Utilize MAT

Another popular myth that damages outcomes is that pregnant women cannot utilize MAT, and it is dangerous for them.

There is no proof that medication like methadone or buprenorphine will harm a fetus. On the contrary, MAT is recommended for pregnant women and is extremely safe as a treatment by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).

Under a doctor’s supervision, MAT can offer pregnant women with opioid use great outcomes. 

Myth 4: MAT Is Ineffective

While data has proven the effectiveness of MAT, many still believe that it is not a long-lasting solution.

This is absolutely false.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has studies showing that prisoners who used MAT engaged in the treatment even after being released compared to those who didn’t.

There is a lot of data showing the long-term effectiveness of medication-assisted treatment, which is why the FDA has approved methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone for treating addiction. 

Myth 5: MAT Is Expensive and Doesn’t Accept Insurance

Not only can medication-assisted treatment be pretty affordable, but it’s also often covered by insurance companies.

Therefore, if you or a loved one is interested in MAT, do not discourage this myth. 

That being said, insurance plans vary, and it’s always wise to check your coverage before starting a program. At Pathways Recovery Centers, we accept most major insurance plans.

To see whether you are covered for our MAT program, you can check our insurance options.

Conclusion

Medication-assisted treatment is just one of the many methods you can use on your path to addiction recovery.

There are multiple treatments for addiction, and different treatments may work best for different groups of people with their own unique circumstances. 

At Pathways Recovery Centers, we cater treatment plans to the individual.

In addition to 24/7 medically-monitored inpatient detoxification, we also have a range of other treatment plans, including inpatient and outpatient options.

Whether it’s private coaching or partial hospitalization, our experts can help you determine which program is the perfect one for your needs.

Contact us for more information.