SPECIALIZED COURTS:

Medication for Addiction Treatment (MAT)

Brooklyn Treatment Court accepts participants who, with professional medical advice, voluntarily elect Medication for Addiction Treatment (MAT) as part of their treatment protocol. BTC is staffed by team members who possess advanced knowledge of MAT issues and therapy techniques. Participants interested in the use of MAT are evaluated by a multidisciplinary team to determine eligibility. Random drug testing is utilized to ensure medication compliance.

Medication prescribed for the treatment of substance use disorders have various levels of risk for abuse which creates a recovery issue that requires Court oversight. BTC does not provide direct medical treatment, however, the Court expects participants who select MAT as part of their treatment plan to adhere to the following protocols:

• Select a court-approved credentialed addiction specialist, medical professional recognized by the American Society of Addiction Medicine, American Board of Addiction Medicine or the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, or physician with advanced knowledge of recovery issues.
• Complete a medical assessment by the selected court-approved MAT medical professional to determine which medication would be the safest and most effective and adhere to the prescribing and dosing guidelines established.
• If medications are abused or diverted after the participant and drug court team have made reasonable efforts to increase compliance, participants must be re-evaluated by the treatment team and medical doctor to determine if continued medication is appropriate.
• If participants choose to discontinue the use of medication they must discuss their desire with both the drug court team and prescribing doctor to establish a safe and clinically responsible treatment protocol to terminate use.
• Participants must demonstrate adequate engagement in the treatment process and adhere to program rules while utilizing MAT.