What medications are used in MAT?

For opioid use disorder, the main medications are methadone, buprenorphine (often as Suboxone), and naltrexone (Vivitrol). For alcohol use disorder, naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram are used. Each works differently — some reduce cravings and withdrawal, others block rewarding effects — and the choice depends on the substance, health history, and personal circumstances.

Does MAT just replace one addiction with another?

No. This is a persistent myth. MAT medications are prescribed and dosed to stabilize brain chemistry without the intoxication and harm of active addiction. They help people function, hold jobs, and stay in treatment. Federal health authorities are explicit that MAT is legitimate medical treatment for a chronic condition, not substituting one drug for another.

How long do you stay on MAT?

There is no single correct duration. Some people benefit from a few months, while others stay on medication for years, and research suggests longer maintenance is often linked to better outcomes. Stopping should be a gradual, clinically supervised decision. The right length is individualized and best determined with your prescriber rather than a fixed rule.

Does insurance cover MAT?

Usually, yes. Medication-assisted treatment is generally covered as medically necessary care by Medicaid and most private plans, though specific medications and programs may require prior authorization. Delaware Medicaid and many insurers cover MAT. Verify your benefits with the treatment program, and ask which medications and clinics are in your plan's network.

Medication-Assisted Treatment: The Evidence (2026)

Q: What is medication-assisted treatment (MAT)?

MAT is the use of FDA-approved medications together with counseling and behavioral therapy to treat substance use disorders, most often opioid and alcohol use disorders. The medication addresses cravings and brain chemistry while therapy addresses behavior and underlying issues. Major health agencies consider MAT a first-line, evidence-based standard of care.

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) combines FDA-approved medications with counseling to treat opioid and alcohol use disorders. Research shows it reduces cravings, lowers overdose deaths, and helps people stay in treatment — and it works best alongside therapy, not as a replacement for it.¹

Key takeaways

MAT pairs FDA-approved medication with counseling.
It reduces overdose deaths and keeps people in treatment.
It is not "replacing one drug with another" — it is evidence-based care.
Treatment length is individualized, and longer can be better.

What is medication-assisted treatment?

MAT is the use of medications, in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies, to treat substance use disorders — most commonly opioid and alcohol use disorders. It is considered a first-line, evidence-based approach by major health agencies.²

What medications are used?

Medication	Treats	How it helps
Methadone	Opioid use disorder	Reduces cravings and withdrawal; dispensed through certified programs
Buprenorphine (Suboxone)	Opioid use disorder	Eases cravings and withdrawal with a lower overdose risk
Naltrexone (Vivitrol)	Opioid and alcohol use disorder	Blocks the rewarding effects; non-addictive
Acamprosate & disulfiram	Alcohol use disorder	Support abstinence by reducing cravings or deterring use

What does the research show?

For opioid use disorder, medications like methadone and buprenorphine are shown to reduce illicit opioid use, keep people in treatment longer, and cut overdose deaths substantially.¹ The strongest outcomes come when medication is combined with counseling and support.

Is MAT just replacing one drug with another?

No. This is a common myth. MAT medications are prescribed, regulated, and dosed to stabilize brain chemistry without producing the cycle of intoxication and harm seen in addiction. Health authorities are clear that MAT is legitimate medical treatment, not substitution.²

How long do people stay on MAT?

There is no fixed timeline. Some people use medication for months, others for years, and stopping should always be a gradual, clinically guided decision. Research suggests that longer maintenance is often associated with better outcomes, so duration is tailored to the individual.

Finding MAT in Delaware

MAT is available across the state through specialized programs and clinics. Explore Delaware centers offering methadone, buprenorphine/Suboxone, and Vivitrol, or browse all Delaware treatment centers.

For free, confidential help any time, call the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357.³ If you or someone you love is in crisis, call or text 988.

Find MAT programs in Delaware

Medication-Assisted Treatment: What the Research Shows