Improving Access to Medication Assisted Treatment for Persons with Opioid Use Disorder

The U.S. Opioid Epidemic began in the 1990s and has worsened with an increased number of opioid related deaths. To fight the widespread opioid crisis, MAT is considered a first-line treatment for patients with OUD, improving mortality rates by 60%, yet only 30% of patients with OUD receive treatment (Suen et al., 2022). Analyzing the literature on the impact stigma places on accessibility of medication assisted treatment for people with opioid use disorder (OUD) and the negative impacts leading to lack of access. Naltrexone, methadone, and buprenorphine are the three FDA-approved medications considered as first-line treatment for opioid use disorder. The goal of medication assisted treatment (MAT) therapy is to manage withdrawal symptoms, reduce relapses and decrease fatal overdoses. Studies were reviewed to determine factors that influence accessibility to MAT therapy and the impact on lack of access. Method: Literature was reviewed from 2009-2022 using the following databases: CINAHL,; Medline, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. Results: Research demonstrates that MAT therapy is effective but factors such as stigma and the COVID-19 pandemic prevent utilization. Conclusion: Steps have been implemented to reduce stigmatization and increase the number of MAT-certified clinicians. Curriculum integration and telehealth increase access to MAT-certified clinicians in clinical settings, and continuing harm; reduction techniques will reduce fatal overdoses and improve patient outcomes.