At Sunlight Medical Services, we have found during our practice that different things work for different people. Some need to be disconnected from the world to heal, while others need to keep living. And, the science moves on – it was previously believed that a person with a substance use disorder absolutely must go through detox first, but now it is being recognized that doing so makes the person suffer needlessly, not to mention breaking away from their everyday life and home environment, which by itself may be a trigger.
What Is Detox?
In a nutshell, detox is “quitting cold turkey.” There are multiple medical dangers associated with this and considerable discomfort. The person needs to deal with withdrawal symptoms. For some drugs, this may simply not be possible because the brain is already rewired to such an extent that the cravings will never go away.
What is Medication-Assisted Treatment and Why Do We Consider It Superior?
Contrary to “detox” (which is often understood as total abstinence), medication-assisted treatment (more and more referred to as simply “MAT”) includes addressing withdrawal symptoms with medications that neutralize both withdrawal symptoms, and cravings, and, sometimes, even triggers (such as Sublocade, which needs to be injected once a month and doesn’t require a “routine”). This improves the quality of life and leads to faster recovery.
Here at Sunlight Medical Services, our MAT program is comprehensive, including:
Methadone
Perhaps the most common medication used to treat opioid use disorder is methadone. This medication reduces cravings, the impact of withdrawal, and mutes the effects of opioids. It is taken once a day in liquid, powder, or tablet form. Methadone must be administered by a medical professional, and the patient should be closely 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 and its euphoric sensations, helping patients prevent relapse and reduce dependency.
Sublocade
Sublocade is an injection given as a liquid that, once inside the patient’s body, turns to a solid gel gradually releasing buprenorphine at a steady rate for a month. When combined with behavioral therapy, it is a very effective treatment.
Vivitrol
This is a form of naltrexone that is effective in helping individuals struggling with opioid addiction or alcohol dependence.
Sunlight Medical Services
In our comfortable and professional facility, you’ll find the medication-assisted treatment program that will work best for you. Within our MAT program at Sunlight Medical Services, individuals overcome the physical side of addiction in addition to the mental and emotional sides. Our behavioral therapies allow patients to learn to cope with and overcome their issues. For instance, some of the therapeutic services we offer include:
- Individual Counseling: This one-on-one talk therapy allows individuals to identify and explore the causes and influences on their addictive behaviors. Patients also learn new, healthy strategies for coping with triggers.
- Group Counseling: Some individuals discover that when in therapy with others who have had similar experiences, they gain the support and confidence they need to address their issues. Group therapy is an excellent way to discover how others succeeded or failed in confronting, dealing with, or overcoming their issues and learning. It also lays the foundation for a future supportive community.
- Intensive Outpatient Program: Often referred to as IOP, this addiction treatment program provides individuals with the high-quality treatment they need to address their behavioral issues. When used in conjunction without our MAT program, many patients find success in dealing with their symptoms and behavioral issues.
- Behavioral Intervention for Pain: For those looking to manage chronic pain but without turning to medications either for fear of addiction or because of past addiction issues, this program provides the support necessary to help cope.
At Sunlight Medical Services in Glendale, AZ, our patient-centered approach gives the support needed to ensure long-term sobriety and allows patients to return to full health. With a primary care physician on-site every week, our treatment programs and counseling services allow patients flexibility combined with quality care. Let us help you recover and get back to living your best life. Reach out to us today at (855) 920-1104.
