Getting professional substance abuse treatment is a critical part of healing from an addiction to drugs or alcohol. But the specific type of treatment that’s right for you will depend on the nature of your addiction.
One option that may be a good fit for you is medication-assisted drug treatment (MAT). This is a type of care that can make your withdrawal symptoms and cravings less severe. But it’s only a good fit for certain types of people.
We’ve put together this article to help you figure out whether MAT is a good fit for you. Keep reading to learn more.
What is Medication-Assisted Drug Treatment? (MAT)
Medication-assisted drug treatment is a type of substance abuse support. It involves using medications, in combination with other types of care, to help patients recover from their addictions to illicit substances.
The main benefit of using MAT is that it can make withdrawals and cravings less severe. These are often the hardest parts of getting and staying sober. So if an individual doesn’t have to deal with them as intensely as they otherwise might, it can have a big impact on the success or failure of their recovery plan.
What Types of Medication Are Used?
There are many different types of medication that can be used during an MAT treatment plan. But this form of therapy is currently only available to people who struggle with an addiction to opioids or alcohol. There are currently no FDA-approved medications for other drugs that are commonly abused.
That being said, here’s a list of some of the medications that you might be prescribed while pursuing one of these treatment plans:
- Buprenorphine
- Probuphine
- Methadone
- Naloxone
- Naltrexone
- Disulfiram
- Acamprosate
The specific medication that you’re prescribed will vary based on your personal factors.
How do these medications work?
Each of these medications works in its own unique way. But the general idea behind them is that the medications react with the brain in the same way that the substance you’ve been abusing does.
For example, if you’ve been abusing opioids, then Methadone will bind to your brain’s opioid receptors in the same way that an illicit opioid would.
However, the key difference is that Methadone doesn’t get you high. It simply satisfies your cravings and withdrawal symptoms so that you can find the comfort you need to stay sober.
Who Needs MAT?
MAT can be a good fit for anyone who has an intense addiction to either opioids or alcohol. Its purpose is to make withdrawals and cravings easier for a person to get through.
So if you’ve previously struggled with those things while attempting to regain sobriety, MAT could be the difference-maker you need to make this round of treatment stick.
That being said, MAT isn’t a great fit for everyone. There are currently only medications approved to help people who are addicted to alcohol and opioids. Additionally, if you don’t have significant withdrawal symptoms or cravings, then starting MAT wouldn’t be the most worthwhile treatment path for you to pursue.
What Else Happens During a Medication-Assisted Drug Treatment Plan?
One important thing to keep in mind is that MAT isn’t just about taking medication to reduce withdrawals and craving symptoms. Rather, this is just one part of a much broader treatment plan that’s designed to address the entirety of your addiction.
MAT almost always takes place alongside therapy. One-on-one therapy is important to participate in because it helps an individual address the root causes of their addiction. Medications don’t do this on their own.
Beyond that, your treatment plan may include many other types of treatment as well. These can include things like 12-step meetings, group activities, health and wellness classes, exercise, and more. The specifics of your plan can vary based on the treatment center you choose.
Get the MAT You Need at Zoe Behavioral Health
Medication-assisted treatment can be an extremely effective way to end an addiction to drugs or alcohol. But you should know that the quality of care that you receive during an MAT program can vary significantly based on which treatment center you pick.
That’s why you should look closely into Zoe Behavioral Health. We provide a wide variety of personalized treatment options to choose from, including MAT for patients we think would benefit from it.
When you work with us, we’ll set you up with an individualized substance abuse recovery plan that gives you the best chance of maintaining your sobriety long-term. So why wait? Get in touch with us today to learn exactly what we can do for you.