Addiction Treatment Medications

Addiction treatment medications can be an important part of a comprehensive treatment plan, and are often used alongside counseling and behavioral therapies.¹ The specific medications that a person may receive can depend on the type of substance they use.¹

In general, people who receive medication treatment for drug addiction at different stages during a rehab program can experience positive health outcomes, including decreased cravings and a reduced risk of relapse.¹

Understanding these medications and their role in recovery is important when considering treatment options.  

Using Medication to Treat Addiction 

Medications for addiction treatment (MAT) can be used during various stages of a comprehensive addiction treatment plan, especially for those struggling with opioid or alcohol use disorder.^{1, 2} Medication-assisted treatment for opioid and alcohol addiction can be used to help people throughout recovery, which often begins with detoxification and continues through the maintenance phase of treatment.1 It is important to understand that medications are generally considered to be safe and effective when properly used as directed under the guidance of a physician.²

Research has shown that medications for alcohol use disorder (AUD) can help people attain and sustain recovery, yet only a minority of those with AUD receive them. According to the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, out of an estimated 28.9 million people ages 12 and older with past-year AUD, only 1.9% (or 554,000 people) received medications for AUD in the past year.³

Additionally, medications for opioid use disorder (OUD) are also underutilized. A 2024 report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains that in 2022, out of the 4% of American adults who needed OUD treatment, only 25% received recommended medications.⁴

Opioid Use Disorder Medications 

There are three FDA-approved medications for the treatment of opioid addiction.⁵ Medications may be used to help people during the withdrawal phase by minimizing cravings and withdrawal symptoms, as well as throughout treatment and post-treatment to help people maintain abstinence from illicit opioid use.^{1, 5}

Medication for opioid addiction can include: 

• Methadone — Methadone is a long-acting opioid agonist, meaning that it binds to the same opioid receptors that are activated by other opioids (such as heroin or fentanyl).⁵ However, as it works more slowly than those drugs, it doesn’t cause the same feelings of pleasure, but helps to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings.⁵ Furthermore, by stabilizing individuals and reducing illicit opioid use, methadone treatment significantly lowers the risk of fatal overdose. Methadone can only be administered in licensed opioid treatment programs (OTPs) or methadone maintenance programs.² 
• Buprenorphine – Buprenorphine is a medication known as a partial opioid agonist, meaning it only partially activates opioid receptors (i.e. to a lesser extent than methadone).^{2, 5}  It helps reduce cravings and alleviates withdrawal symptoms without the euphoria associated with other opioids.2 Buprenorphine is also available in combination with naloxone, sold under brand names such as Suboxone. When taken as prescribed (dissolved under the tongue), the naloxone component has little to no effect. It is included primarily to discourage misuse, such as attempting to dissolve and inject the medication; if injected, the naloxone becomes active and can precipitate unpleasant withdrawal symptoms in individuals dependent on other opioids.²
  
  Buprenorphine treatment substantially reduces the risk of overdose death from opioids. Its pharmacological properties, including a ‘ceiling effect’ on respiratory depression, also contribute to its safety profile compared to full opioid agonists like methadone. Buprenorphine can be prescribed by qualified healthcare providers, including physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants, who have the required training and credentials.⁹
• Naltrexone – Naltrexone is a nonopioid medication that works solely by blocking opioid receptors.⁵ This means that people will not experience pleasurable effects if they use opioids while taking naltrexone, which may help them maintain abstinence.⁵ Naltrexone for OUD is available in a monthly injectable formulation sold under the brand name Vivitrol, and can be offered by any healthcare provider.⁵  Naltrexone is only used once a person has attained abstinence from all opioids, as it can precipitate severe withdrawal symptoms.⁵

Alcohol Use Disorder Medications 

Medication for alcohol addiction can help people stop drinking and maintain sobriety.² Different medications may be used to treat withdrawal symptoms, reduce cravings for alcohol, and minimize the risk of relapse.¹ 

There are three FDA-approved medications for alcohol use disorder:⁶

• Disulfiram – Disulfiram produces extremely unpleasant symptoms if a person drinks alcohol while taking it.⁶ This potential reaction serves as a strong deterrent for highly-motivated people committed to avoiding alcohol.⁶ As disulfiram causes this interaction with alcohol, people should have already undergone alcohol withdrawal before they start taking it.⁶ 
• Acamprosate — Acamprosate is used after a person has safely stopped drinking and have completed withdrawal. It can ease common post-acute withdrawal symptoms, such as anxiety, insomnia, and restlessness making it easier to maintain sobriety during the maintenance phase of treatment.² 
• Naltrexone – Naltrexone blocks opioid receptors that are associated with the rewarding effects of alcohol and cravings.⁶ This may help people sustain abstinence.2 Naltrexone for AUD is available as a monthly injectable as well as a daily tablet.⁶
  

Will Insurance Cover MAT? 

Health insurance plans are required to provide some degree of coverage for the medically necessary treatment of mental health disorders, including addiction. However, each plan interprets “medically necessary” differently, and your coverage may vary.⁷ It is advisable to verify your exact coverage with your health insurance provider. 

How Long Will MAT Be Prescribed? 

The duration of MAT can vary depending on your unique needs and whether you experience a benefit from taking the medication(s).⁸ Maintenance medications can be safely continued for years or as long as is necessary for a person’s needs.⁸ How long MAT will be prescribed may also depend on what levels of addiction rehab you are undergoing.

Addiction Treatment in Orange County 

If you or a loved one is struggling, you should know that help is available. Laguna Treatment Hospital is an Orange County rehab that offers medically-managed detox and residential treatment that includes evidence-based therapies and medications for addiction treatment, as well as individualized treatment plans that are customized to each person’s needs. 

Please call us at to connect with a knowledgeable admissions navigator any time of day or night. We can help you learn more about your rehab payment options, start the rehab admissions process, and quickly verify your insurance. No matter how things might seem right now, there is always hope, and prompt and proper treatment can help people recover from addictions of all kinds.