Medication-Assisted Treatment
Access to medication-assisted treatment can mean the difference between life and death. Research shows that medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is effective in reducing relapse when used in combination with other psycho-social treatment and recovery support strategies.
This three-hour training explores various MAT options for individuals with opioid use disorder. Throughout the training, we discuss strengths and challenges associated with MAT and who might benefit most from each treatment option. To learn more about this training, review the agenda.
At the conclusion of the training, participants will be able to:
- Describe benefits of medication-assisted treatment for people with opioid addiction
- Explain how use of opioids affects the brain
- Define: tolerance, dependence, and addiction in relation to opioid use
- Describe factors that may contribute to opioid addiction in some people
- List risk factors for developing an opioid addiction
- Describe barriers to MAT that people with opioid addiction experience
- List services and supports that people on MAT for opioid addiction may need to achieve their goals
- Explain how you would help people make decisions about MAT
- Describe how methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone work to treat opioid dependency
"This is a very important training that each service provider in the field of addiction services should take."
–Victory Programs training participant on the Praxis MAT training
"I am more comfortable explaining the risk/benefits of each MAT and assessing for appropriateness."
–Community Health Link, Worcester training participant on the Praxis MAT training
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome: Webinars for Health Professionals
To address the specific needs of women who are pregnant and on MAT, Praxis developed a webcast series for health professionals. Click on the links below to watch the videos:
- Supports for Family Safety, Development, and Well-Being
- MAT and Pregnancy: Hospital-Based Management of Pregnant Women with Opioid Use Disorders
- MAT in Pregnancy: An Introduction
- Managing Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome
- MAT and Pregnancy: Dosing and Regulatory Issues
- MAT and Pregnancy: The Evidence on Tapering
Massachusetts Resources
Educational Resources
- Buprenorphine (Suboxone), but not naltrexone or its extended release version Vivitrol, is associated with reduced overdose risk
- TIP 43: Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Addiction in Opioid Addiction Programs (SAMHSA)
- Video: Addiction: HBO Video about Medication-Assisted Treatment
- Video: Opioid Agonist Therapy: The Duration Dilemma (American Psychiatric Association) (coming soon)
- Q&A: Opioid Agonist Therapy: The Duration Dilemma (American Psychiatric Association)