Medication-Assisted Treatment
MAT (medication-assisted treatment) can be invaluable for those battling alcohol use disorder or opioid use disorder. This tried-and-true method blends FDA-approved medications and counseling to help alleviate cravings, minimize withdrawal stress, and promote long-term abstinence from alcohol or opioids.
By reducing the grip of withdrawal, MAT enables people to focus more intensely on mental health and personal goals as they transition from active addiction to ongoing recovery. Some people engaging with medication-assisted treatment notice quick improvements, while others may take longer to adjust. Regardless, MAT sets a solid foundation for building a sober life and helping people unchain themselves from dependence and addiction.
What is Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)?
Medication-assisted treatment utilizes approved medicine and counseling to address substance use disorders (addictions), specifically alcohol and opioid addictions. Individuals in MAT programs receive prescription medications that minimize cravings, mitigate withdrawal symptoms, and block the lingering effects of alcohol or opioids. This serves to reduce the distractions associated with discontinuing substance use, enabling people to focus on therapy goals and sustained stability.
MAT is widely recognized as safer than abruptly detoxing from alcohol or opioids since it promotes a gradual and stable transition from harmful substances. MAT doesn’t substitute one addiction for another. Instead, approved medications are carefully managed by medical professionals who monitor progress and side effects to ensure safety and effectiveness without introducing additional complications.
Medication-assisted treatment begins with a detailed assessment. A doctor or addiction specialist evaluates the person’s symptoms, health history, and concerns. This information helps shape the optimum course of action and a personalized treatment plan. When combined with talk therapies like CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), MAT can promote self-reflection, positive coping techniques, and healthy routines. It aims to lower the risks linked to opioid or alcohol abuse, reduce the likelihood of relapse, and set the stage for long-term recovery. MAT doesn’t mean giving up control. Instead, it helps people build a framework to reclaim it.
MAT for Substance Abuse
MAT for substance abuse is proven effective for treating addictions to alcohol and opioids. People abusing these substances may join an MAT program to access medications that lessen cravings and minimize the intensity of withdrawal. As a result, they can engage more fully in therapy sessions. Many people find they have a clearer mind to examine patterns of behavior and emotional triggers once physical symptoms are addressed and dependence on alcohol or opioids is overcome.
Medication is not the only component of MAT. The most effective application of this method involves peer support, one-on-one counseling, and talk therapies (psychotherapies). Group therapy sessions enable participants to share their experiences, find encouragement, and learn how others dealing with similar issues manage stressors. These collective insights help remedy isolation, a major hurdle in recovery. This whole-person approach supports physical changes and the mental shift needed to avoid returning to substance use. This is demonstrated to be more successful than either medications or therapy alone.
Common Forms of MAT Medication
MAT uses proven medications that lessen drug or alcohol cravings, ease withdrawal, or block the euphoric effects triggered by alcohol and opioids. While these medications work differently, they all provide people with the mental and physical space to double down on recovery rather than being derailed by early withdrawal and relapsing.
What is MAT medication for alcohol addiction?
The following medications have FDA approval for treating alcoholism:
- Acamprosate: Taken several times a day to balance brain chemistry when someone stops drinking. Many report experiencing fewer mood swings and less anxiety during the early phase of recovery when taking acamprosate.
- Disulfiram: Triggers intensely unpleasant effects like nausea and flushing when a person consumes alcohol. This reaction can act as a physical and psychological deterrent for those who want to remain abstinent. Disulfiram, often marketed as Antabuse, should not be taken until alcohol is fully cleared from the body.
- Naltrexone: Available as a daily pill or a monthly injectable, naltrexone blocks the brain’s reward responses to alcohol and reduces a person’s desire to drink. This can make it easier for them to resist urges during times of temptation and high-risk situations.
What is MAT medication for opioid addiction?
These medications are approved by the FDA for managing opioid addictions:
- Methadone: This long-acting opioid lowers withdrawal pain and curbs cravings. People typically receive methadone at approved clinics under controlled conditions. The drug helps stabilize physical symptoms and allows them to focus on counseling and other therapies rather than being menaced by unmanageable withdrawal symptoms.
- Buprenorphine: This partial opioid agonist reduces cravings without provoking an opioid high. It can be prescribed in various forms, including tablets and films. It’s often combined with naloxone (Suboxone), which can cause immediate withdrawal if someone tries to misuse it through injecting the drug.
- Naltrexone: Works as an opioid antagonist, meaning it binds to receptors and prevents opioids from taking effect. It can help prevent relapse by removing the reward prompted by opioid use. People should be opioid-free for at least a week before starting naltrexone.
How to Find an MAT Program
Locating an MAT program often begins with a referral from a trusted medical professional, counselor, or peer.
Some people may use online directories that feature lists of approved clinics or treatment centers in their region. Options may include outpatient facilities, where individuals visit on a set schedule for checkups and medication, or residential centers that offer a structured program and immersive inpatient treatment.
Public health departments and community-based organizations can provide helpful recommendations and contact details—check out MAT programs in Orange County right here.
Affordability is a common concern, but most insurance plans cover part or all of MAT services since the enactment of the ACA (Affordable Care Act) of 2010. Some clinics adjust fees based on income or offer scholarships for those who qualify. Government-sponsored hotlines can also connect people with certified treatment providers.
Friends and family can also be a source of information, especially if they know counselors or have heard positive reviews about local counselors. When exploring potential MAT programs, ask questions about therapy styles, staff credentials, and follow-up strategies to determine whether a program matches your needs.
MAT in Orange County at Anchored Recovery
If you have been searching for “medication-assisted treatment in Orange County” or “medication-assisted treatment in Tustin, OC” contact Anchored Recovery. Our compassionate team will guide you through a personalized plan developed with your needs and recovery goals in mind. We utilize proven approaches that help ease withdrawal symptoms, reduce cravings, and tackle the personal factors driving substance use. You can recalibrate your life and protect your well-being with effective medication and professional oversight.
Reach out today to see how Anchored Recovery in Orange County might fit into your recovery plan. Call (844) 429-5554 and talk with caring professionals who can help you get immediate assistance for opioid or alcohol addiction.
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