The short answer to this question is that yes, Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) does work.
MAT, which is the combination of behavioral therapies and FDA-approved medications, is shown to be effective at treating opioid use disorder and alcohol use disorder. Multiple studies show that people on MAT show better treatment outcomes and are at a lower risk of overdose, relapse and contracting diseases like HIV.
The effectiveness can vary based on the specific drug as well as factors related to the individual and their circumstances. It’s important to talk to your provider about the different medications and behavioral interventions that may be right for you as a part of MAT.