It isn’t easy for anyone to recover from addiction. Evidence-based and holistic therapies are vital. However, people sometimes need extra help. Adding medicines to their treatment plan can improve the effectiveness of therapy and reduce the risk of relapse. Learning about what is medication assisted treatment (MAT) can help people understand its importance.
What Is Medication Assisted Treatment?
As the name sounds, medication assisted treatment is a service that uses drugs alongside therapy to aid addiction recovery. The goal is to help people get through withdrawal during detox and focus on therapy during rehab. It works by decreasing cravings and withdrawal symptoms to reduce the risk for relapse and overdose. These medicines can also reduce the symptoms of co-occurring disorders.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has only approved certain medicines to treat opioid, alcohol and tobacco addictions. It hasn’t approved drugs for treating cocaine, meth or marijuana addictions. Still, only certified physicians and treatment centers can prescribe or administer many of the approved medicines. Since several of them just treat symptoms, they can’t help people overcome addiction alone.
When people seek addiction help, they should ask about what is medication assisted treatment. In order to receive this service, they’ll undergo an assessment to diagnose their problems. This assessment also determines the severity and detects the presence of other health conditions. Then, the treatment center will decide if they’re good candidates.
In general, MAT is ideal for people who have opioid and alcohol addictions. However, they can’t have any physical health problems that the drugs could make worse. Also, they must understand their alternatives and be willing to comply with the instructions for use.
Which Medications Do Rehab Centers Use?
When detox and rehab centers treat opioid addiction, they might use several medicines. As a well-known one, methadone is a fully synthetic opioid that reduces cravings. It can prevent the euphoric effects of other opioids too, including heroin and oxycodone.
Despite that, only certified treatment centers can give people methadone. Also, those who receive the medicine have to visit the facilities to get it. The drug requires this high level of supervision because it has addictive properties.
Buprenorphine is another common medication assisted treatment for opioid addiction. Although it’s an opioid as well, it has a lower potential for abuse than methadone. Because of that, people can get prescriptions from certified doctors or treatment centers. However, this approach still requires close supervision.
When it comes to addressing alcohol addiction, detox and rehab centers can use disulfiram. This medicine triggers side effects when people combine it with alcohol. The goal is to deter them from drinking.
Naltrexone is a drug that prevents intoxication when people drink alcohol. Acamprosate is another one that reduces withdrawal symptoms.
Get the Medical Care That You Need to Overcome Addiction
Do you need alcohol or drug addiction treatment? Pillars Recovery can provide the care that you need. Along with offering MAT, our facility uses a range of addiction recovery services, including:
Don’t let withdrawal symptoms or cravings keep you from seeking addiction treatment. The path to recovery begins with a knowledgeable and reliable guide. Pillars Recovery offers those experienced and compassionate guides. Learn more about what is medication assisted treatment and how it can help you. Contact our friendly staff today at 866-782-0247.
