Why the language has changed
You may still hear the term “medication-assisted treatment” or MAT, but many clinicians and public health organizations now use “medications for opioid use disorder” or MOUD. The newer language reflects an important truth: medication is not an optional add-on or a shortcut. It is evidence-based treatment.
Using respectful, person-first language also helps reduce stigma. People are not defined by a diagnosis, and treatment should never begin with judgment.
The three FDA-approved medications for OUD
Methadone is a long-acting full opioid agonist that can reduce withdrawal, cravings, and the effects of other opioids when it is provided through a certified opioid treatment program.
Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist that helps reduce cravings and withdrawal. It can be prescribed in office-based settings, which may make access easier for some people.
Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist. It works differently from methadone and buprenorphine because it blocks opioid effects. Extended-release injectable naltrexone is also approved for alcohol use disorder.
What these medications can do
Medications for OUD can lower the risk of overdose, help people stay in treatment, and support daily functioning. They can make it easier to sleep, work, care for family, and focus on recovery goals because the body is no longer cycling through repeated withdrawal and craving.
They do not “cure” OUD overnight, and they do not solve every challenge by themselves. Recovery often also includes counseling, medical care, peer support, and help with everyday needs such as transportation, benefits, employment, or housing.
What these medications do not mean
Starting medication is not “trading one addiction for another.” When these medications are prescribed appropriately, monitored carefully, and matched to the person’s needs, they are part of evidence-based medical care.
Medication is also not something a person has to “earn” by suffering first. Early access to treatment can save lives.
Does counseling matter?
Yes – many people benefit from counseling, peer recovery support, and care coordination. At the same time, treatment should stay person-centered. Medication should not be withheld just because someone is still deciding which additional services feel right for them.
A strong care plan meets people where they are and grows with them over time.
How long should someone stay on medication?
There is no single timeline that works for everyone. Some people stay on medication for a shorter period, and others benefit from longer-term treatment. The right length of care depends on safety, stability, health history, recovery goals, and shared decision-making with the treatment team.
Schedule an Appointment
New Brunswick Counseling Center offers medications for opioid use disorder together with counseling, peer support, and care management. To begin with a telephone screening, call 732-723-4271 in New Brunswick or 609-372-2043 in Mount Holly. You can also learn more about services or request an appointment through the clinic website.