What Is Medication Assisted Treatment?

What Is Medication Assisted Treatment?

Medication-assisted treatment, often called MAT, is an evidence-based approach that combines FDA-approved medications with counseling and therapy to treat substance use disorder. It’s not about swapping one drug for another; it’s a comprehensive, “whole-patient” method that addresses both the physical and psychological sides of addiction. Think of it as stabilizing the body so the mind has a real chance to heal. The medications help manage withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings, which creates the stability needed to dig into the root causes of addiction through therapy.

Far from being a lesser option, MAT is considered the gold standard of care for opioid use disorder (OUD). It provides a safe, controlled way to manage the biological aspects of addiction, allowing you to focus on developing the coping skills needed for lasting recovery. At its core, this approach combines medical science with personalized, compassionate care to give you the best possible foundation for building a new life.

What Are The Medications Used In MAT?

In medication-assisted treatment, several FDA-approved medications are used to help treat opioid and alcohol use disorders. These aren’t one-size-fits-all solutions. The right medication for you is a clinical decision that you and your healthcare provider will make together, based on your specific health needs, the substance used, and your recovery goals. The goal is to find the option that gives you the best support for a successful recovery journey.

Medications For Opioid Use Disorder

For opioid use disorder, the medications work by interacting with the same receptors in the brain that opioids do, but in a much safer and more controlled way. This helps to normalize brain chemistry without producing a high for those struggling with opioid use disorder.

• Buprenorphine: This is a partial opioid agonist. It binds to and partially activates opioid receptors, which is enough to ease withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings. Because it only partially activates them, there’s a “ceiling effect,” making it much harder to participate in opioid misuse and lowering the risk of overdose. It’s often combined with naloxone in a brand-name medication called Suboxone.
• Methadone: As a full opioid agonist, methadone activates opioid receptors more completely than buprenorphine. It works by reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms. It has been used safely for decades in those with opioid use disorder and is dispensed through specialized clinics, ensuring controlled, daily dosing.
• Naltrexone: Unlike the other two, naltrexone is an opioid antagonist. This means it completely blocks the euphoric and sedative effects of opioids. If a person taking naltrexone uses opioids, they won’t feel a high. This can be a powerful tool for preventing relapse, especially for those who have already completed detox. It is available as a daily pill or a monthly injection (Vivitrol).

Medications for Alcohol Use Disorder

For those with an alcohol use disorder (AUD), which affects millions of people in the U.S. as of 2019, medications work by either reducing cravings or creating an unpleasant physical reaction to drinking.

1. Naltrexone: Just as with opioids, naltrexone can help people with AUD by reducing the pleasurable effects of drinking and curbing cravings. It helps break the cycle of associating alcohol with reward.
2. Acamprosate: This medication is thought to work by restoring the chemical balance in the brain that gets disrupted by long-term heavy drinking. It helps reduce the persistent, unpleasant feelings that can lead to relapse, like anxiety and insomnia.
3. Disulfiram: This medication works differently. It causes a severe negative reaction when someone drinks alcohol, including symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and flushing. It’s used as a deterrent to help people who are committed to stopping drinking avoid impulsive use.

What Are The Benefits Of MAT?

The most important benefit of medication-assisted treatment access is that it saves lives. The evidence is clear and overwhelming. According to a study of Medicare beneficiaries, buprenorphine reduced the odds of a fatal overdose by 52%, while methadone reduced the odds by 58%. By managing withdrawal and cravings, MAT provides the stability people need to fully engage in their recovery. This foundation allows individuals to focus on therapy, rebuild relationships, and reclaim their lives from addiction.

Other proven benefits include increased treatment retention rates, a decrease in illicit opioid use, and improved ability to find and maintain employment. For pregnant women with a substance use disorder, MAT can improve birth outcomes. Ultimately, MAT gives people the chance to move beyond the daily struggle of addiction and work toward long-term well-being, similar to the stability found in residential treatment programs.

Doesn’t Using These Medications Just Substitute One Addiction For Another?

That’s a common concern, but it comes from a deep misunderstanding of how these medications work. The idea that MAT just trades one addiction for another is a myth rooted in stigma. There’s a crucial difference between physical dependence and addiction. Physical dependence is a normal physiological response when your body gets used to a substance. If you stop suddenly, you’ll experience withdrawal.

Addiction, on the other hand, is a compulsive, uncontrollable use of a substance despite harmful consequences. It’s a disease of the brain’s reward system. Think of it like a person with diabetes who needs insulin. They are dependent on insulin to function and stay healthy, but they aren’t addicted to it. MAT medications work similarly for someone with a substance use disorder. When taken as prescribed, these medications normalize brain chemistry and relieve withdrawal symptoms without producing a “high.”

This allows a person to stop the destructive patterns of addiction and focus on their recovery, healing, and life. Understanding the difference between addiction and dependence helps clarify why MAT is a legitimate medical treatment, not a substitute for the problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Finding Medication Assisted Treatment Near You

Finding the right MAT provider can feel like a big step, but there are excellent resources available to guide you. Medication-assisted treatment is a safe, effective, and evidence-based approach that can be a vital part of your recovery. It’s a path that offers hope and saves lives, allowing you to build a stable foundation for a healthier future.

Remember, seeking help is a sign of incredible strength. If you’re ready to take the next step with medication assisted treatment for alcohol or opioid use disorder, our team at pH Wellness is here to help you navigate your options with compassion and expertise. Give us a call at (888) 707-3880 or contact us online for a confidential conversation about how we can support your journey to recovery.

Sources

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