Often, the most difficult part of overcoming drug or alcohol abuse is making it through the experience of severe withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms associated with the recovery process are painful. Thus, many individuals when they attempt an abstinence-only course of treatment tend to relapse. Fortunately, for those struggling with substance use disorder, there’s another effective means to get help, medication-assisted treatment. But what is medication-assisted treatment and how can it benefit you or your loved one?
When an individual is dependent upon drugs or alcohol, their brain chemistry has changed causing them to need the substance to function normally. When substance abuse turns into addiction it is no longer about achieving a high but rather avoiding the discomfort of withdrawal. Medication-assisted treatment satisfies the chemical needs of the body without one having to use drugs. This helps patients to withdraw from the drugs safely without depending on the medicine used for treatment. Patients are more likely to recover successfully as the withdrawal symptoms begin to reduce. Sunlight Medical Services are experts in the area of medication-assisted treatment and can guide you through the process.
What Is Medication-Assisted Treatment?
Medication-assisted treatment or MAT involves using medication in combination with therapy to help people who have substance use disorder. It is an extremely useful and effective form of treatment for individuals struggling with opioid addiction. Here at Sunlight Medical Services, we administer treatment in a safe and controlled environment. When a client is admitted into our facility we do a complete evaluation to determine which type of medication would be most effective. At the same time, we work with the client to understand and develop a therapeutic plan to accompany their MAT.
Types of Medications Used in MAT
At Sunlight Medical Services, we offer several medication-assisted treatment programs. For example, patients can take advantage of the following MAT programs:
- 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. Patients take it orally as a pill or, in some instances, it is 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, in cases of emergency overdose, our staff uses naloxone: an overdose lifesaver or what is commonly known as Narcan. This medication can reverse an opioid overdose and save lives by giving medical providers the time they need to get an individual the care necessary.
How Sunlight Medical Services Can Help
When you arrive at our comfortable and professional facility, we’ll answer your questions and concerns about what is medication-assisted treatment. No matter the opioid use disorder you or a loved one is struggling with, we can help. But we also offer mental health services. We make these services available to not only those in our MAT programs but to individuals looking to improve their health. For example, we offer the following:
- Individual Counseling
- Group Counseling
- Intensive Outpatient Program
- Behavioral Intervention for Pain
Our therapies and programs combine to give patients the comprehensive care needed to make a lasting recovery. So contact us today at (855) 920-1104 to learn more.
