Medication-Assisted Treatment*
The 2 drugs most often used in MAT are methadone and buprenorphine. Naltrexone is also sometimes used. These drugs help to balance brain chemistry, stabilize certain physical responses, block the effects of other opioids such as heroin, and relieve withdrawal symptoms and cravings.5
Methadone – a long-acting opioid receptor agonist that reduces cravings and withdrawal and, with consistent use and significant building of cross-tolerance, blocks the effects of other opioids such as heroin
Buprenorphine – a long-acting opioid receptor partial agonist that reduces withdrawal symptoms and cravings and dampens the effects of other opioids
Naltrexone – an opioid receptor antagonist that does not produce any opioid effects but blocks the effects of other opioids (mainly used after withdrawal to prevent relapse)6
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