Medication Assisted Treatment Program(MAT)

Overview

Studies show that combining medication with individualized therapy works better, with fewer relapses and overdoses, than therapy alone to treat opioid use disorder.

Receiving Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) with Buprenorphine (or Suboxone)

Medication assisted treatment (MAT) with buprenorphine is a safe and effective method to help people

with an opioid use disorder stop using prescription pain medications, heroin, and other opioids. There

are three main phases of MAT: induction (first 1-2 days), stabilization (several weeks), and

maintenance (as long as it takes). Before you start treatment, be sure to talk with your health care

provider about your plans for treatment.

Patient who agree to participate in the Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) Treatment Program at this

practice must adhere to the policies and procedure of the program. Failure to adhere to the rules will

result in dismissal from the program.

Why Suboxone?

Suboxone is an oral medication approved for office-based treatment of opioid use disorder. Suboxone

blocks the effects of other opioids. Suboxone is composed of two medications: Buprenorphine and

Naloxone. Buprenorphine offers several benefits to people for whom treatment in a methadone clinic is

not preferred or is less convenient. Naloxone has poor absorption and is added in order to prevent the

misuse of the medication. Treatment with Suboxone has been shown to be safe and effective.

Suboxone is an important part of medication assisted treatment. Patients will work closely with the MAT

provider to achieve their goals.

What to Expect

The first step of the MAT Program is to discuss treatment options with your provider. During this

appointment, you learn about the pros and cons of medication as well as treatment expectations. You

can review the Treatment Agreement and the Consent Form as part of this decision-making process.

Prior to starting treatment, you will have an MAT Overview Appointment. You will receive a physical

exam and lab tests. Your MAT health care team will review instructions for Induction and determine a

follow-up plan with you for Stabilization and Maintenance.

You may be asked to provide urine and a blood sample or mouth swab at any time during the

treatment process. You may be referred to supplementary programs, e.g., counseling, physical therapy.

Induction refers to the first 1-3 days of treatment. You will schedule an appointment for Induction. Prior

to that, you will stop using opioids from 16 hours to 48 hours at home or an inpatient location.

You will need to honestly report opioid and other drugs use to your MAT provider. This information will

help determine the timing of your first dose.

You will be asked to arrive to your Induction appointment in a moderate state of withdrawal. A nurse or

member of your MAT health care team will assess opioid withdrawal symptoms. This is vital for

medication to be effective. Precipitated withdrawal can occur if you are not in moderate withdrawal.

You can expect to feel better within 30 – 45 minutes of your first dose. The MAT provider will give

additional doses during the induction to find the appropriate regular dose for you. It is important to

communicate with your provider and his/her staff how you are feeling.

Induction lasts 1-3 days. You will maintain communication with your provider and care team during this

time, either through phone calls or in-person visits. Before you leave the office on Induction Day 1, the

MAT provider will likely give you a prescription that will last until your next appointment. Appointments

will be made coinciding with refills. The MAT care team will require you to come for follow up visits. The

effectiveness and safety of your current dose will be assessed at these visits. You will be asked to

provide sample for drug screening – for your safety. You will also be asked to bring your medication

with you to each appointment. Failure to provide drug sample or bringing in your medication may result

in dismissal from the program.

The second phase in treatment is called Stabilization. This phase may include continuing to find a dose

that works for you. You will be asked to notify your provider or his/her staff if at any time you experience

triggers or cravings. You will also begin working on treatment goals. After achieving your treatment

goals and feeling confident with progress made, your provider may decrease your dose preparing you

for the next phase in treatment.

During Stabilization, your MAT provider may refer you to counseling or other supplementary programs,

if recommended.

In the third phase, called Maintenance, the MAT provider will monitor your progress. There is no set

timeline for how long you will continue treatment. You and your care team will decide when the time is

right for you. Research recommends 12-18 months of treatment. Some people receive treatment for

longer. When the time comes, your dose will be tapered slowly, minimizing withdrawal symptoms.

Finally and most important, if you feel at any time you’re at risk of relapse, notify your MAT provider or

his/her staff right away. Your MAT treatment team can continue the maintenance if necessary.