With so many people struggling, addiction is a disease that touches nearly everyone’s life in some way or another. For us to help address these issues, our medication-assisted treatment program can help manage cravings and withdrawal symptoms from various substances, including opioids, alcohol, and nicotine. MAT is an evidence-based practice that yields positive treatment outcomes and keeps you on the road to recovery.
What Is Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)?
Medication-assisted treatment is the use of evidence-based medications, along with behavioral therapies and counseling to address substance use disorders. These treatments can be customized to each person’s clinical needs. MAT can be effective at various stages in the recovery process including:
- Alleviating acute or physical withdrawal symptoms during drug or alcohol detox
- Suppressing cravings & post-acute withdrawal symptoms (PAWS) such as insomnia, restlessness, anxiety, and mood swings in the early stages of recovery
- Eliminating the substance’s ability to produce euphoria over time
MAT for Opioid and Alcohol Use Disorders
When it comes to alcohol and opioid cravings, making a recovery from substance use disorders can be particularly difficult. Through our MAT program, we can provide effective medications on an outpatient basis to alleviate the many roadblocks, including cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
MAT for Opioid Use Disorder
With the introduction of MAT, a person’s chances of sustaining long-term recovery increase significantly. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) options for opioid use disorder can include:
- Buprenorphine – Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist that works to suppress cravings, opioid withdrawal symptoms, and drug euphoria.
- Methadone – Methadone is a long-acting opioid agonist that reduces opioid craving and withdrawal symptoms and blocks the effects of opioids.
- Naltrexone – Naltrexone targets the euphoric and craving effects of opioids by binding to the opioid receptors and blocking them.
MAT for Alcohol Use Disorder
Recovery from alcohol use disorder can also be particularly challenging given ongoing cravings and subacute withdrawal symptoms affecting sleep and mood. To help address and manage alcohol use disorder on an outpatient basis, these evidence-based medications may also be considered:
- Acamprosate – Acamprosate works for those in recovery and who are no longer drinking alcohol. It helps prevent people from drinking alcohol but does not prevent withdrawal symptoms associated with alcohol use disorder. The medication appears to modulate/normalize alcohol-disrupted brain activity, particularly in the GABA and glutamate neurotransmitter systems of the brain.
- Disulfiram – Disulfiram (sold under the trade name “Antabuse”) is a medication used to support the treatment of alcohol use disorder by producing an acute sensitivity to drinking alcohol. Disulfiram works by inhibiting a chemical enzyme in the body, producing unpleasant effects felt immediately following alcohol consumption. It works best when used in conjunction with therapy applying relapse prevention strategies.
- Naltrexone – Naltrexone targets the euphoric and craving effects of alcohol by binding to the opioid receptors and blocking them.
Clinical Outcomes with MAT
Improved treatment outcomes with MAT include better treatment engagement & retention and longer sustained recovery. This evidence-based treatment approach has been shown to reduce overdose risk, decrease substance use, and reduce the need for repeated detoxification services & readmissions. We work with you through your treatment to help support your recovery. Reach out to our practice today for more information about MAT and our other treatment services. There is hope for everyone!
