Medication-Assisted Treatment
Combines FDA-approved medications with counseling to treat alcohol use disorder, reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms. MAT addresses brain chemistry changes from chronic drinking, improving treatment engagement and reducing relapse risk when combined with behavioral therapies.
TL;DR
MAT uses FDA-approved medications plus therapy to calm alcohol cravings and withdrawal, making counseling more effective.
Key Points
- âś“MAT combines three FDA-approved medications with counseling to treat alcohol use disorder
- âś“Medications work by normalizing brain chemistry disrupted by chronic drinking
- âś“Treatment is most effective for moderate-to-severe AUD with current heavy drinking
- âś“MAT plus therapy reduces relapse risk better than either approach alone
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) is like giving your brain a gentle reset button while you work on the deeper reasons behind drinking. Three medications—naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram—are prescribed alongside counseling to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms that often derail recovery efforts.
How the medications work
Naltrexone blocks the brain's "reward" receptors, making alcohol feel less pleasurable. Acamprosate helps rebalance brain chemicals disrupted by long-term drinking, reducing post-withdrawal anxiety and insomnia. Disulfiram creates an unpleasant physical reaction if you drink, serving as a powerful deterrent. These medications don't cause a "high"—they simply restore more normal brain function so you can focus on therapy and life changes.
Getting started with MAT
Begin by discussing your drinking patterns and health history with an addiction medicine doctor or psychiatrist. They'll assess whether MAT fits your situation—typically moderate-to-severe alcohol use disorder with recent heavy drinking. The medication choice depends on your specific needs: naltrexone if you want to reduce heavy drinking days, acamprosate for maintaining abstinence after detox, or disulfiram if you need strong external motivation to stay sober.
What to expect during treatment
Most people notice reduced cravings within 1-2 weeks of starting medication. However, MAT works best as part of a comprehensive plan including individual therapy, support groups, or outpatient programs. Expect your doctor to monitor progress monthly at first, adjusting doses as needed. Relapses may occur—this doesn't mean failure, but rather signals to adjust your treatment approach. Many people continue MAT for 6-12 months or longer, gradually tapering under medical supervision.
Common concerns addressed
You might worry about becoming dependent on MAT medications. Unlike alcohol, these medications don't cause addiction or intoxication—they simply support brain healing. Side effects are typically mild and temporary, such as nausea with naltrexone or drowsiness with acamprosate. MAT is safe for most people, including those with depression, anxiety, or other mental health conditions, and can actually improve psychiatric symptoms by reducing alcohol use.