Medication-assisted treatment is the most effective intervention to treat OUD and is more effective than either behavioral interventions or medication alone.2
Unlike traditional therapies like detox-to-abstinence treatment which does not address cravings, (a major cause of relapse) MAT takes a chronic approach by understanding the need for multiple streams of care to address multiple conditions. MAT plays a critical role in sustained recovery because it pairs therapies such as counseling or cognitive behavioral therapy, with an FDA-approved medication to treat substance use disorders and prevent opioid overdose.
Where traditional treatment comes up short
While the temptation to "stick wth what you know" can be hard to resist, the fact is traditional substance use treatment takes an acute, one-size-fits-all approach that fails to address the specific issues and comorbid conditions of the individual. Worse, traditional therapies can also place clients at greater risk of overdose due to lowered tolerences.
4,486 providers specialize in MAT in 8,944 locations
90% of our members are within 20 miles of a MAT provider so members can access care locally5. Utilizing our Optum data, we work closely with providers to identify the neighborhoods and communities that would benefit most from having a nearby and easily accessible medication-assisted treatment facility. And while our MAT network continues to expand, be assured our proprietary quality requirements to become an Optum MAT provider are stringently observed and adhered to.
