Medication-Assisted Treatment, or MAT as it’s commonly referred to, is one of the most effective ways to recover from substance use disorder. Through the use of FDA-approved medications (methadone, buprenorphine, or naloxone) along with behavioral therapy, cravings, withdrawal symptoms, and relapse rates can be decreased. Medication-Assisted Treatment has saved countless lives in the treatment of addiction. However, it has also become somewhat controversial when discussing ideas of sobriety. Some question, “Is long-term MAT considered sobriety?
Some people will tell you that being sober means not having anything inside your body. Others will tell you that just because a person isn’t abstaining 100% of the time doesn’t mean they aren’t recovering or living a healthy, productive life outside of their active addiction. Here at RestAura Behavioral Health, we like to dig a little deeper when discussing this question.
Sobriety: A Changing Definition
Historically, sobriety has been described as the absence of any alcohol, drugs, or substances used to alter the mind. In fact, most traditional 12-step recovery models, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA), are built around total abstinence as the definition of sobriety, even regarding the use of prescribed medication for addiction recovery as enabling rather than being sober.
Advancements in addiction research have allowed our understanding of recovery to evolve. Medical professionals and addiction specialists now understand addiction as a chronic disease that often requires lifelong management, similar to diabetes and high blood pressure. Addiction experts now see Medication Assisted Treatment as one of many options for living sober and enhancing long-term recovery.
Why is Long-Term MAT Considered Sobriety?
Medication-Assisted Treatment works by addressing the biological and physiological components of addiction. When someone stops using drugs or alcohol, the body experiences withdrawal symptoms, cravings, and imbalances in the brain’s reward system. These symptoms can be overwhelming and are a major contributor to relapse. MAT helps to stabilize individuals by:
- Reducing Cravings: Medications like buprenorphine and methadone bind to opioid receptors in the brain, reducing the intensity of cravings without creating the euphoric “high.”
- Preventing Relapse: Naltrexone blocks the effects of opioids or alcohol, meaning that even if someone does relapse, they won’t experience the pleasurable effects, discouraging future use.
- Providing Stability: MAT helps individuals regain control of their lives while working on the psychological, emotional, and social aspects of their recovery.
By stabilizing the physical symptoms of addiction, MAT allows individuals to focus on rebuilding their relationships, careers, and mental health.
Why is Long Term MAT Considered Sobriety? Breaking Down the Myths
MAT doesn’t mean sobriety doesn’t matter, quite the opposite, actually. Recovery involves more than just not using drugs. It’s about rebuilding your life, regaining your health, and learning to enjoy life in a positive way.
MAT helps people live sober lives by…
1. Allowing You To Escape Addiction’s Clutches
Addiction robs you of your ability to control your life. MAT can provide you with the ability to escape addiction’s harmful cycle. It balances out your brain chemistry and dampens down your body’s addictive response.
Ask yourself what sobriety means to you. If you’re on MAT and still using drugs or alcohol, you’re not sober. But if MAT allows you to no longer be a slave to your addiction? No longer lying, stealing or hurting loved ones to support your habit? You could argue that you are indeed sober.
2. Feeling Better Able To Function
In order for recovery to have any sort of meaning, you have to be able to live your life. You have to be able to work, pay bills, and enjoy life. On MAT, many people are able to keep their jobs, take care of their families, and enjoy their hobbies and friendships. They don’t let addiction dictate how they live their lives.
Just because a person is clean doesn’t mean they’ll be able to enjoy life more. Recovery gives people the tools they need to experience everything life has to offer.
3. Understanding Addiction as a Disease
Addiction is a disease, and just like any other disease, it requires treatment. Some illnesses, like diabetes, can require you to take medication for the rest of your life. There are times when MAT can be a long-term or permanent part of someone’s recovery.
If you’re prescribed medication and take it as directed by your doctor, you’re not actively abusing substances. You’re allowing medicine to treat your disease and help you recover. Sobriety means no longer engaging in the compulsive, harmful behavior that addiction causes.
Why Some May Struggle to Accept MAT as Sobriety
Despite the growing acceptance of MAT, some recovery communities and individuals are hesitant to call someone receiving MAT “sober.” Common concerns include:
1. Dependence on Medication
MAT doesn’t “cure” addiction—it manages it. Detractors may see MAT as simply replacing one substance with another, especially in cases that involve long-term use of methadone or Suboxone.
However, it’s important to understand that dependence on medication is not the same as addiction. Addiction involves destructive behavior patterns, impaired control, and negative consequences. Medication dependence, on the other hand, is a controlled and medically supervised treatment approach aimed at supporting recovery, not fueling addiction.
2. Stigma and Misconceptions
The stigma surrounding addiction often spills over into MAT, with fears that taking medications means people are “weak” or unwilling to fully commit to recovery. These misconceptions are fueled by outdated beliefs about abstinence being the only true path to sobriety. Modern research has shown that MAT is one of the most reliable ways to achieve and sustain recovery.
3. Conflict with Abstinence-Based Programs
Some abstinence-based recovery programs, such as certain 12-step groups, may not fully support MAT. While some chapters have become more accepting of MAT as a legitimate recovery tool, others continue to view sobriety as strictly abstinence. This can create feelings of exclusion for those on MAT and complicate their ability to participate in aspects of peer support.
Reframing Sobriety at RestAura Behavioral Health
At RestAura Behavioral Health, we embrace the idea that sobriety is not one-size-fits-all. Every person’s journey through addiction is different, and what works for one individual may not work for another. Long-term Medication-Assisted Treatment isn’t a failure or shortcut—it’s an evidence-based tool that helps people manage their recovery and live full, healthy lives.
We believe sobriety isn’t defined by the absence of medication; it’s about the presence of hope, healing, and a life free from the chaos of addiction. Whether you’re actively pursuing MAT or exploring other recovery options, you are taking a courageous step toward reclaiming control over your life—and that’s worth celebrating.
Learn More about MAT and Sobriety with RestAura
The question of whether long-term MAT fits the definition of sobriety is complex and deeply personal. For many, sobriety is less about strict abstinence and more about finding freedom from addiction so you can live the life you deserve. Medication-Assisted Treatment is often the key to achieving that freedom, serving as a bridge to lasting recovery.
If you or a loved one is exploring MAT or ready to embark on the path to recovery, contact RestAura Behavioral Health today. Our compassionate team is here to help you navigate your journey, redefine sobriety, and discover the treatment plan that empowers you to succeed.