A medication-assisted treatment program uses medications alongside behavioral therapies to treat opioid use disorder. They address various needs of patients, such as managing cravings, dampening or reducing the impact of withdrawal symptoms, muting the euphoric effects of opioids, and counteracting overdoses. MAT can be an incredibly effective means of achieving recovery. At Sunlight Medical Services, we provide this gold standard for opioid addiction treatment. Ours is a medication-assisted treatment program Glendale AZ residents know they can trust to get them back to health.
What Is Medication-Assisted Treatment?
Opioids are some of the most addictive drugs available. Over the last few years, the United States has experienced what has been termed an opioid epidemic. This has been primarily due to prescription opioid abuse. Often, those prescribed opioids don’t realize they have a dependency or addiction until it is too late. Fortunately, there are many effective treatments available to help individuals recover and return to sobriety. One such method is a medication-assisted treatment program or MAT.
In medication-assisted treatment, medical professionals prescribe or administer medications to alleviate and counter the effects of opioids. When used in combination with appropriate counseling and behavioral services, it can give patients a leg up on overcoming opioid use disorder. All MAT medications are FDA approved and have been proven effective in treatment. Various medications require more oversight than others because they could be habit-forming if used inappropriately. Fortunately, the experts at Sunlight Medical Services have the experience necessary to guide patients through the process.
Our MAT Programs
In treating opioid use disorder, several medications can make the process more bearable. Also, these medications address the specific needs of patients. Thus, our medication-assisted treatment program includes:
- Methadone: Perhaps the most common medication used to treat opioid use disorder, this medication reduces craving, the impact of withdrawal, and mutes the effects of opioids. Taken once a day in liquid, powder, or tablet form, methadone needs to be administered by a medical professional, and patient use tightly monitored.
- Buprenorphine: While methadone needs to be taken in a highly structured setting, buprenorphine can be prescribed and taken independently by patients at home. This medication reduces the pain from withdrawal symptoms and can be taken orally as a pill or, in some instances, given as a patch.
- Naltrexone: This medication reduces the cravings for opioids. It blocks the effects of opioids as well as its euphoric sensations helping patients prevent relapse and reduce dependency. Also, this opioid medication can treat alcoholism, decreasing its effects, and aiding in detoxification.
Also, we offer Sublocade and Vivitrol treatment programs. In emergencies, we have on hand naloxone: an overdose lifesaver or Narcan, which counters the effects of an opioid overdose. It has successfully counteracted the life-threatening slow down of the central nervous system and respiratory system caused during an opioid overdose. Thus, it returns the patient’s breathing and heart rate to normal, giving them the time necessary to find medical treatment. It is non-addictive and prescription-based.
Often, counselors and therapists use these medications in conjunction with individual or group counseling. These medications are an important part of a larger, comprehensive treatment plan as patients overcome opioid use disorder progressing towards sobriety.
Sunlight Medical Services’ Medication-Assisted Treatment Program Glendale AZ
In our comfortable and professional facility located in a medical plaza, you’ll find the medication-assisted treatment program that will work best for you. Also, Sunlight Medical Services offers several behavioral programs to support your treatment. For example, we offer the following:
- Individual Counseling
- Group Counseling
- Intensive Outpatient Program
- Behavioral Intervention for Pain
These therapies and programs combined with our medication-assisted treatment program give patients the comprehensive care needed to make a lasting recovery. So contact us today at (855) 920-1104 to learn how Sunlight can help you.