Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

Description of Strategy

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is the use of medication alongside counseling and behavioral therapy to treat opioid use disorder. MAT is any treatment for opioid addiction that includes a medication (e.g., methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone) approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for opioid addiction detoxification or maintenance treatment. MAT may be provided through a physician’s office, substance abuse treatment facility, or other health care setting.

In Wyoming

As of 6/30/2021, Wyoming has 96 publicly-listed buprenorphine prescribers in the state. Some of these practitioners provide telehealth services. In addition, there are currently 15 MAT providers listed on the Wyoming Department of Health website. These sites provide comprehensive services, such as group and individual therapy, in addition to medication management.

Another drug commonly used in MAT, methadone, is required to be dispensed through a SAMHSA-certified opioid treatment program (OTP). There are zero OTPs in Wyoming.

Discussion of Effectiveness

Medication-assisted treatment should be considered an effective method for addressing opioid use disorder, especially when combined with counseling. There are a broad number of counseling options that when combined with MAT will significantly reduce the likelihood that a patient will relapse or overdose (Fudela, 2003; Comer et al., 2006; Mattick et al., 2009). In fact, MAT when combined with counseling is more effective than medication or counseling alone (Schuckit, 2016).