Medication Assisted Treatment Services
Foundations Health provides medication assisted treatment for people with opioid use disorders that, when combined with traditional therapy methods can reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings, prevent relapse and lead to a life in recovery.
What is Medication Assisted Treatment?
Medication Assisted Treatment, or MAT, is using medicines to help treat drug or alcohol problems. These medicines can make your brain feel more balanced, reduce and even eliminate cravings and help you recover.
What Medication Treatment is available?
- Methadone: This medication helps people who are addicted to opioids, like heroin or painkillers, by stopping withdrawal symptoms and reducing cravings. It is taken once a day as a liquid or tablet at a special clinic called an Opioid Treatment Program (OTP). Because it stays in the body for a long time, it helps people feel stable and focus on their recovery instead of worrying about cravings.
- Buprenorphine (like Suboxone): This medicine is similar to methadone but can be taken at home with a prescription from a doctor. It comes as a dissolvable film or tablet that goes under your tongue, or as a long-acting shot. It helps stop cravings and withdrawal but does not cause the same high as opioids, making it easier to quit using other drugs.
- Naltrexone (like Vivitrol): This medication works differently from methadone and buprenorphine. Instead of reducing cravings, it blocks the effects of opioids and alcohol. If someone takes opioids or drinks while on this medication, they will not feel the usual high. It comes as a daily pill or a monthly shot. It works best for people who have already gone through withdrawal and want extra help to stay sober.
- Long-Acting Shots: Some MAT medications are available as shots that last for a month or longer. These shots make it easier for people to stay on their medication because they do not have to remember to take a pill every day. They help block the effects of drugs or alcohol and reduce cravings.
Your doctor will talk to you about the best medicine for you in your current circumstances. Remember, these medicines work best when you also go to counseling and make healthy changes in your life.
Effectiveness of Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) can be an effective approach to treating substance use disorders, particularly opioid and alcohol use disorders. MAT may improve recovery outcomes by reducing or eliminating cravings, preventing relapse and lowering the risk of overdose.
Why Choose MAT?
- Reduces Cravings and Withdrawal Symptoms
One of the biggest challenges in recovery is dealing with cravings and withdrawal. Medications like methadone and buprenorphine help stabilize brain chemistry, reducing the intensity and, in some cases, eliminating withdrawal symptoms and making it easier to focus on recovery.
- Lowers the Risk of Relapse
Without MAT, many struggle with repeated relapses. People using MAT may be more likely to stay in treatment and less likely to return to substance use compared to those relying solely on counseling or abstinence-based programs.
- Reduces the Risk of Overdose and Death
One of the most serious risks of opioid use is overdose, which can be life-threatening. People who use MAT have a significantly lower risk of dying from an opioid overdose. Using medications to treat opioid use disorder is considered the best practice and greatly decreases the risk of overdose.
- Improves Mental Health and Stability
Substance use disorders often co-exist with mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety. MAT helps stabilize mood and cognitive function, allowing you or your loved one to engage more fully in therapy and other aspects of recovery.
- Supports Long-Term Recovery
Recovery is a long-term journey, and MAT provides ongoing support by helping maintain their recovery and rebuild their lives. When combined with counseling, behavioral therapies and peer support groups, MAT leads to higher long-term success rates.
Addressing Common Misconceptions
Despite its effectiveness, some people worry that MAT is just “replacing one addiction with another.” However, research suggests that MAT does not create a new dependency in the same way that substance abuse does. Instead, it helps people to overcome withdrawal symptoms and cravings and regain control over their lives.
Understanding that substance use and opioid use disorders are chronic medical conditions can help underscore the role of medications in treatment. If someone is seeking medical treatment for their high blood pressure, they will be offered medications as well as suggestions on new behaviors, like diet and exercise, to help them manage their medical condition. Similarly, patients with substance use and opioid use are often treated with an approach that includes medications, counseling and other activities to help them manage their disorder and recover.
MAT medications are carefully regulated and prescribed by healthcare professionals to stabilize brain chemistry, whereas using illicit substances can lead to cycles of craving and the highs and lows associated with substance use disorder. Another misconception is that people on MAT are not truly in recovery. However, many experts, including the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), recognize MAT as a legitimate and life-saving form of treatment.
Opioid Use Disorder Treatment That Can Make a Difference
Foundations Health offers comprehensive, individualized care for primary opioid use disorder. Starting treatment is a brave and important step. We can help.
If you or a loved one is struggling with an addiction to opioids, Foundations Health may be the right program for you. Call us today at 336-899-8889 to get started and start your journey to a life in recovery, today.
