Medication-assisted treatment is a method of addiction treatment that uses medications, in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies.
In this article, you will learn:
- What is medication-assisted treatment (MAT)?
- What medications are used in MAT
- What to expect from a MAT program in North Carolina
What is Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)?
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is a comprehensive approach to treating substance use disorders. It combined FDA-approved medications for opioid and/or alcohol use disorders with counseling and behavioral therapies.[1] This integrated approach is thought to address the “whole patient” and improve treatment outcomes.
Benefits of MAT include:
- Safe with medical supervision
- Less overdose risk in MAT
- MAT means longer treatment
- MAT lowers relapse chances
At Ascend Recovery Centers, we understand that effective treatment must address all aspects of your health. That’s why we include MAT as part of our holistic recovery approach.
What to Expect at a North Carolina MAT Program
Before starting MAT, individuals are assessed on an individual basis by a team of healthcare professionals and addiction experts to determine whether or not MAT is the right fit. If the individual qualifies for MAT, their medication therapy is combined with counseling, behavioral therapy, and other substance abuse treatment services.
- Detox – Detox is the first phase of treatment. Some MAT medications, such as Suboxone, are given during detox to alleviate withdrawal symptoms. Other medications like Vivitrol require individuals to detox completely before taking their first dose. Regardless of the treatment route, detox ensures the client’s safety and comfort throughout the withdrawal process.
- Medication management – Medication management is a way for the prescribing physician and client to work together toward the goal of long-term recovery. It involves taking medications as prescribed, attending regular check-ins and follow-up appointments, and adjusting medications as needed. Working closely with a trusted healthcare provider is essential for effective treatment.
- Individual therapy – Clients have regular one-on-one therapy sessions with a therapist to discuss personal experiences, difficult emotions, progress in recovery, and one’s treatment plan. Individual therapy sessions are private and intimate, giving the client full individualized attention.
- Group therapy – Sharing experiences with like-minded individuals and connecting with others in recovery can not only be comforting, but inspiring as well. As a result, the majority of treatment is spent in group therapy sessions, helping clients foster community and valuable support networks.
Other services offered in a MAT program in North Carolina may include:
- Case management
- Holistic therapies
- Family therapy
- 12-Step facilitation
- Aftercare planning
- Mental health treatment
MAT for Opioid Use Disorder
Opioids are drugs that alleviate pain. They work by activating opioid receptors in the pain, reducing pain signals and producing feelings of euphoria.[2]
When someone develops opioid addiction, the brain gets used to having opioids in the system, and it changes the way it functions. Then, when opioids are suddenly removed from the brain, withdrawal symptoms occur and individuals have difficulty experiencing a sense of reward or satisfaction in everyday life.
Withdrawal symptoms and feelings of discontentment can make it difficult to stay sober, but MAT medications aim to stabilize brain chemistry, reduce withdrawal symptoms, and prevent cravings for opioid drugs so individuals can embrace sobriety.
Medications used to treat opioid dependence include:[3]
- Methadone – Methadone is a long-acting opioid agonist that helps reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms without producing the euphoric effects associated with other opioids. It’s typically administered once a day in a clinic setting.
- Buprenorphine – Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist that also helps alleviate cravings and withdrawal symptoms. It has a ceiling effect, meaning its effects plateau at a certain dose, reducing the risk of overdose. Buprenorphine is often prescribed as Suboxone, a daily medication, or Sublocade, a monthly injection.
- Naltrexone – Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist that blocks the effects of opioids in the brain. It’s available in oral form (ReVia) or as a monthly injection Vivitrol. Naltrexone can help prevent relapse by reducing the rewarding effects of opioids if they are used.
MAT for Alcohol Use Disorder
The medications used to treat alcohol use disorder work a little differently. They are given after a detoxification period to help stabilize brain chemistry, reduce cravings for alcohol, and decrease one’s motivation to drink.
Medications used to treat alcoholism include:
- Disulfiram (Antabuse) – Disulfiram works by interfering with the body’s ability to metabolize alcohol, causing unpleasant side effects such as nausea, vomiting, headache, and flushing when alcohol is consumed. This aversive reaction serves as a deterrent to drinking.
- Acamprosate (Campral) – Acamprosate helps to restore the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain that are disrupted by chronic alcohol use. It is thought to reduce cravings and alleviate some of the discomfort associated with abstinence.
- Naltrexone (ReVia or Vivitrol) – Naltrexone, which is also used in the treatment of opioid use disorder, can be effective for alcohol use disorder as well. It works by blocking the pleasurable effects of alcohol, thereby reducing the desire to drink.
All of the medications used in MAT are most effective when combined with counseling, behavioral therapy, and a complete addiction treatment program.
Medication-Assisted Treatment in North Carolina With Ascend Recovery Centers
At Ascend Recovery Centers in North Carolina, medications may be used as part of addiction treatment. Medication therapy is always combined with counseling and behavioral therapy approaches and separate housing is provided for those attending a MAT program.
To learn more about our medication-assisted treatment program in North Carolina or to get started with a confidential, risk-free assessment, please contact us today.
References:
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): Medications for Substance Use Disorders
- National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): Mind Matters: The Body’s Response to Opioids
- National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): Medications to Treat Opioid Use Disorder Research Report
- American Family Physician Foundation: Medications for Alcohol Use Disorder
