Addiction is one of the most pressing public health crises that the United States faces today. Approximately 21.5 million Americans above the age of 12 had some form of substance use disorder in 2014, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH)<\/a>. With so many people struggling, addiction is a problem that touches nearly everyone in some way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To help combat this issue and connect individuals to the care they need, rehab centers across the country offer a broad range of care options, including medication-assisted treatment (MAT). MAT is a method of addiction care that combines traditional rehab approaches in combination with medications. These medications can be used to increase client safety, alleviate withdrawal symptoms, lessen cravings and help promote long-term recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While MAT is an evidence-based practice that has been shown to yield positive client outcomes<\/a>, it\u2019s currently underutilized. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the proportion of heroin admissions with treatment plans that included MAT fell from 35 percent in 2002 to 28 percent<\/a> in 2010.<\/p>\n\n\n\n MAT is a method of drug and alcohol rehab that uses medication in combination with behavioral therapy to address substance use disorders. MAT programs can be customized to every client\u2019s needs, so they receive quality, tailored care. MAT is particularly useful for people struggling with addictions to physically addictive substances<\/a>, including alcoho<\/a>l, prescription opioids and illicit opioids like heroin<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Medications used in MAT may be utilized for a broad range of purposes in various stages of recovery, including:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat Is Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n