Medications for Addiction Treatment (MAT) - MAT Works Campaign

About the Program

Category: Health (Best in Category)

Year: 2022

Substance use disorders (SUD) are complex, chronic health conditions. It is critical that individuals have all available treatment options at their disposal for successful recovery. Medications for Addiction Treatment (MAT), in conjunction with behavioral therapy and recovery supports, is an evidence-based treatment for opioid use disorders (OUD) and has been proven effective in promoting recovery and reducing the risk of overdose. To address lack of knowledge around MAT among the public and those receiving SUD treatment, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health’s Division of Substance Abuse Prevention and Control (DPH-SAPC) developed a patient awareness and educational campaign called MAT Works. The campaign’s primary goal was to encourage and empower individuals to ask their provider about MAT as a treatment option. Intended outcomes were to 1) increase coordination and referrals to SUD prevention and treatment services within high opioid-related morbidity areas; 2) increase linkages to MAT; and 3) decrease SUD and opioid associated ED visits, hospitalizations, and deaths in LAC. Based on pre- and post-survey results among SUD counselors, post-survey reported increased agreement about the effectiveness of MAT on improving clinical outcomes compared to the pre-survey. Overall, a total of 404 clients received MAT services other than methadone in Los Angeles County.