Can Patients In MAT Participate In 12-Step Programs?
Through many decades, 12-Step programs following the basic principles of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) have helped millions of people in recovery from addiction. Many AA and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings are becoming more hospitable to patients in medication-assisted treatment (MAT), especially if patients do not make a big issue of taking methadone or other medicines. In 1991, special “Methadone Anonymous” (MA) groups were started for MAT patients. These groups have spread across some areas of the U.S., with opioid treatment programs (OTPs) often providing meeting space. MA was founded based on the track record of MAT as a therapeutic tool of recovery. People in recovery who regularly participate in any type of 12-Step meetings enjoy many benefits, including building a network of sober friends and a program of ongoing personal development. For more information, see: Methadone Anonymous Comes of Age. Addiction Treatment Forum. 2001 (Summer);10(3).
