Despite the overwhelming evidence that medications such as methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone are effective at treating opioid use disorder, objections to medication assisted treatment (MAT) are still common. The resources in this collection are intended to help dispell the myths and negative stereotypes about MAT. The collection includes reports from the National Council on Behavioral Health, the California Health Care Foundation, and the state of Arizona refuting common mistaken beliefs about MAT. The collection also includes a briefing paper from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration titled Know Your Rights: Rights for Individuals on Medication-Assisted Treatment.
Note: If you know of a resource we can include in this collection of resources addressing stigma and negative stereotypes about MAT, please let us know by visiting our call for submissions page.
Challenging the Myths about Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD)
Source: National Council for Behavioral Health
This one page information piece challenging the myths around medication assisted treatment for opioid use disorder was created by the National Council on Behavioral Health and is directed at physicians and other health care providers.
MAT for Opioid Use Disorder – Overcoming Objections
Source: California Health Care Foundation
This 2019 report provides evidence based responses to common objections to using medication assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder.
Be in the Know – MAT for OUD
Source: Arizona Rethink RX Abuse
A fact sheet for patients and caregivers explaining Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). This document primarily addresses opposition to MAT and clearly states that MAT does not adversely affect a person’s intelligence, mental capability, physical functioning
Know Your Rights: Rights for Individuals on Medication-Assisted Treatment
Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
This 2009 publication by SAMHSA and the Legal Rights Center explains the federal laws that protect the rights of individuals receiving medication assisted treatment for opioid use disorder and provides guidance to individuals on how to protect their rights.