Medication Assisted Treatment Program
What is medication assisted treatment (MAT)?
MAT for Opioid Use Disorder
At OSF, medically assisted treatment is a comprehensive approach to treating people with addiction to opioids, such as prescription pain relievers and heroin. A prescription medication called buprenorphine is combined with behavioral therapy and other services to help patients overcome opioid use disorder.
Starting Dose of Buprenorphine
Based on a patient’s history of opioid use, one of our physicians will collaborate with them to determine the appropriate starting dose of buprenorphine.
Buprenorphine treats opioid use disorder by helping repair a patient’s brain chemistry, blocking the euphoric effects (the “high”) of opioids and relieving physical cravings. It provides these benefits without the negative effects of prescription pain relievers and heroin.
Regular Buprenorphine Maintenance
Buprenorphine is taken daily and sometimes twice a day to maintain the appropriate level of medication in a patient’s system. It contains naloxone (Narcan®) to avoid the risk of overdose.
What to Expect at an Appointment
An OSF physician will meet with the patient to review their medical history and discuss their current and past substance use. The physician will also provide education about buprenorphine and will have a conversation with the patient about whether it’s a good option for them. A urine specimen may be collected.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can a person stay committed to recovery from opioid use disorder?
There are many steps a person can take to help them stay committed to recovery, including:
- Willingly participating in psychotherapy
- Surrounding themselves with a supportive network of family and friends
- Addressing any other health concerns they may have
- Seeking any help they may need with housing and financial stability
Do insurance companies pay for medication assisted treatment?
Yes, it’s typically covered by insurance companies, but be sure to contact your insurance provider to confirm that they cover it.
Is medically assisted treatment evidence based?
Yes, MAT is a safe, evidence-based approach to overcoming opioid use disorder.
Our MAT Team
Our team of providers is here to provide the compassionate care and education your patient needs to help them overcome opioid use disorder.
Refer Your Patient
We encourage providers to refer patients who:
- Self-identify that they struggle with opioid use disorder
- Request early or repeated refills
- Indicate increased tolerance demonstrated by requests for increased dosage or increased amount of prescription opioids
- Report that opioids are interfering with their daily activities, such as taking care of responsibilities at home or work
- Present with an inability to control opioid use and cravings
To refer your patient for medication assisted treatment at OSF Healthcare:
- Call (309) 624-9785 or fax (309) 624-9380.
- In OSF Epic, use REF6021.
