Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) in correctional settings is an evidence-based approach to treating substance use disorders (SUDs), particularly opioid use disorder (OUD), within jails and prisons. MAT combines Food and Drug Administration (FDA) -approved medication such as methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone with counseling and behavioral therapies to provide a comprehensive treatment plan. By addressing addiction in correctional facilities, MAT helps reduce recidivism, infectious disease transmission, and drug-related criminal behavior.
Photo courtesy of the Bureau of Prisons.