Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is a comprehensive addiction treatment approach designed for individuals suffering from alcoholism or opioid use disorder. MAT involves the use of medications, in combination with counseling and other therapeutic techniques, to provide a “whole-patient” approach to the treatment of addiction.[1]
Medication-assisted treatment programs use FDA-approved medications proven to reduce withdrawal symptoms and prevent cravings while behavioral therapy and counseling aims to treat the root cause of the substance abuse issue. This type of treatment can improve treatment outcomes, prevent relapse, and allow you to focus on building a strong foundation of recovery.
To find out if medication-assisted treatment (MAT) in California is the right choice for you, contact our compassionate admissions counselors at ARISE Treatment Center today.
What is Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)?
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) involves the use of medications to soothe withdrawal symptoms and prevent relapse during early recovery by ensuring that you do not experience cravings. It is important to note that these medications must be used in combination with evidence-based behavioral therapies and traditional addiction treatment methods. MAT is effective for people suffering from alcohol or opioid addiction.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), medication-assisted treatment is proven to:[2]
- Improve patient survival
- Increase retention in treatment
- Decrease illicit opiate use and other criminal activity among people with substance use disorders
- Increase patients’ ability to gain and maintain employment
- Improve birth outcomes among women who have substance use disorders and are pregnant
The main medications used during MAT include methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone. Methadone and buprenorphine are opioid agonists, which means they target opioid receptors in your brain to prevent withdrawal symptoms and cravings for opioids. On the other hand, naltrexone is a medication used to prevent people from relapsing on alcohol or opioids by changing the way the brain interacts with these substances.[3]
How to Know if Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) in California is Right for You
Medication-assisted treatment is highly effective in helping people overcome alcohol and opioid use disorders. However, this type of treatment might not be right for everyone.
If you are wondering whether a California medication-assisted treatment program is right for you, consider the following:
Consult with an Addiction Specialist
Working with an addiction specialist is the best way to determine if MAT is right for you. Addiction specialists will assess you to determine if your needs indicate that medication-assisted treatment is the best course of action.
During your initial assessment, an addiction specialist may ask questions about:[4]
- Your history of drug and alcohol abuse
- Treatment history
- Mental and physical conditions you may suffer from
- Your level of family and community support
- Whether you have employment responsibilities to consider
If you qualify for MAT, the clinical team will work with you to create an individualized treatment plan. You will collaborate to determine the types of medication, therapy, and length of treatment that will be most effective. It is important to note that your treatment plan might be adjusted over time to suit your needs.
Suffering from an Alcohol or Opioid Addiction
The relapse rate for people suffering from opioid addiction is extremely high when they do not receive medication-assisted treatment. According to the Department of Health Care Services, “80% of people with OUD who receive treatment without MAT relapse within 2 years.”[4]
Medication-assisted treatment only currently includes medications designed for alcohol and opioid addiction, so you should only consider this type of treatment if you have a problem with one of those substances. Even further, due to the relapse rate for opioid use disorder being so high without the use of medications, being addicted to opioids is an indication that you would benefit from MAT in California.
The Severity of Your Addiction
Another thing to consider is how severe your addiction is. If you only have a mild problem with alcohol or opioids, you might be able to recover without using medication, and addiction treatment that includes individualized therapy, group counseling, and relapse prevention planning may be enough for you.
However, if you struggle with a moderate or severe addiction to either alcohol or opioids, you should speak with your addiction counselor about medication-assisted treatment. If you are unsure whether your substance use disorder is mild, moderate, or severe, your addiction counselor can provide you with an in-depth assessment.
Having a History of Relapse
Addiction is a chronic condition similar to how hypertension and asthma can be chronic. Without proper maintenance or treatment, you could suffer from an addiction relapse.
According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, the relapse rate for substance use disorder is between 40 to 60%.[5]
If you have relapsed before, it is important to look for a more intensive form of addiction recovery care to solidify your chances of long-term sobriety. Medication-assisted treatment is the best way to do this if you suffer from alcoholism or opioid addiction.
Find out if Medication-Assisted Treatment in California is Right for You
Medication-assisted treatment is highly regarded as one of the most effective recovery techniques for people struggling with alcohol or opioid abuse. If you are wondering whether this type of treatment is right for you, consulting with a MAT program in California can provide you with the answers you are looking for.
To receive a free and confidential consultation, contact Arise Treatment Center today. We can help you determine whether our MAT program in California is right for you.
References:
- https://ncsacw.acf.hhs.gov/topics/medication-assisted-treatment.aspx
- https://www.samhsa.gov/medications-substance-use-disorders
- https://www.fda.gov/drugs/information-drug-class/information-about-medication-assisted-treatment-mat
- https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/individuals/Documents/MAT_Toolkit_for_Counselors.pdf
- https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/treatment-recovery