Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is the practice of utilizing pharmaceutical medication alongside conventional treatment methods, such as behavioral therapy and counseling, to treat an addiction. For decades, MAT has helped those in treatment change their lives. It is often an indispensable part of the recovery process for those struggling with opioid or alcohol use disorders. Many aspects of addiction are so physiologically entrenched that attempts to change them through behavioral therapy alone often prove limited. The positive outcomes for recovery programs are significantly increased at a detox treatment center where prescription medications are integrated into therapy. Suboxone treatment, for example, can help those in treatment focus on therapy and counseling as this medication provides relief from withdrawal symptoms.
Lotus Recovery Centers uses MAT in many of the treatment plans that we offer. If you think a medication-assisted treatment center program may be the best choice for you, please don’t hesitate to call us at 833.922.1615 for more information.
Using Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) in Addiction Recovery
Medication-assisted treatment techniques are a scientifically proven strategy in the fight against alcohol and drug dependency. Medication can significantly relieve withdrawal symptoms. As drugs and alcohol leave the body, rapid and unpredictable changes can occur. Some critics of a prescribed medication component believe it isn’t a genuine detox. This is because it can seem like those in treatment are replacing one drug with another. Still, evidence shows that this is often the safest, most practical way of eliminating the more harmful substance. When the original drug is entirely out of the system, subsequent therapies have the best chance of succeeding.
The inclusion of prescription medications makes tapering off the original drug safer for the body and prevents the sudden changes that bring about the worst experiences in withdrawal. This buffer provides the client with alleviation from pain and a greater comfort level, making continued client engagement more likely because it feels manageable. Studies show that treatments that include medication have a higher percentage of long-term success. It appears that the stigma associated with the use of drugs in treatment is just that, a stigma.
Some examples of medications used in a MAT program are naltrexone (Vivitrol), buprenorphine (Suboxone), and methadone. Every medicine has a distinct mechanism in which it operates within the body. Some medications reduce cravings, while others help people to withstand the physiological burdens of withdrawal. Treatment with a pharmaceutical component has the highest success rate for lifelong moderation and management of a substance abuse disorder. Specific clients may be prescribed drugs for the rest of their lives because relapsing would have a more profound impact on their well-being than a prescription regimen with an indefinite time frame.
The Proven Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment
Medication-assisted treatment has a proven track record of success in recovery outcomes when compared to methods that do not include it. If your addiction is severe enough that a detox program is necessary, then a MAT program may be the best choice for you. Some of the key benefits that set medication-assisted treatment apart from other treatments are:
- Relief from the pain of debilitating withdrawal symptoms
- Reducing the potential for an overdose and relapse
- Curbing or eliminating intense drug and alcohol cravings that accompany withdrawal
- Increasing levels of involvement and length of participation in their treatments
- Increased retention of clients in rehab programs
Relief from withdrawal symptoms is one of the biggest reasons why MAT programs are so effective. Without the pain or discomfort of going through detox, individuals are more likely to remain in a treatment program long enough for it to be effective. And by reducing the potential for relapse and overdose, medications make the road to recovery much safer.
When used as part of an integrated treatment plan that includes counseling and therapy, medications can help people to get their lives back on track. Whether your treatment team prescribed Vivitrol to address alcohol addiction or Suboxone to help with opioid addiction, you can be assured that this form of treatment is backed by scientific evidence.
Reach Out for High-Quality Care at Lotus Recovery Centers
If you or a loved one is battling a drug or alcohol addiction, Lotus Recovery Centers is here. Our goal is to facilitate a safe, comfortable, and successful recovery for every one of our clients, and we want to help you determine the best recovery plan for you. In our treatment centers in West Virginia and Delaware, clients find the support they need to maintain recovery long-term. We invite you to reach out today at 833.922.1615 or connect with us online for more information.
