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Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) For Opioid Addiction and Alcohol Use Disorders
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) is an evidence-based approach for opioid and alcohol use disorders. It combines FDA-approved medications with counseling to reduce cravings, prevent relapse, and improve treatment retention. Research shows MAT lowers overdose deaths and supports long-term recovery, making it the gold standard in substance use treatment.
Substance use disorder (SUD) is a condition that involves uncontrolled, repeated use of alcohol or drugs. This condition can have devastating consequences for a person’s physical and mental health. If left untreated, SUD can lead to severe health issues, incarceration, and even death. Over time, the use of alcohol or opioids can change the wiring of the brain, leading to increased cravings, addictive behavior, and withdrawal, which can make recovering from SUD increasingly difficult. This is where Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) can help.
What is Medication-Assisted Treatment?
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) for substance use disorder combines professional counseling with FDA-approved medication to reduce cravings and treat the symptoms of withdrawal. This treatment is backed by significant research and has been shown to be an effective treatment strategy for SUD.
What Are The Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment?
By reducing cravings and treating withdrawal symptoms, Medication-Assisted Treatment has been shown to have significant, positive outcomes for patients. This includes:
- Increased treatment retention and a lower rate of relapse
- Improved mental health and social function
- Decreased drug and alcohol use
- Decreased criminal activity
- Reduced rate of relapse and overdose
How Does Medication-Assisted Treatment Work?
Increased and uncontrolled cravings can pose a significant challenge to treating patients with substance use disorder. Even if patients are able to limit or abstain from use, withdrawal symptoms can pose an additional challenge to the long-term success of their treatment. Medication-Assisted Treatment uses FDA-approved medication in combination with behavioral counseling to decrease cravings and symptoms of withdrawal.
"Research shows MAT lowers overdose deaths and supports long-term recovery, making it the gold standard in substance use treatment." - Yamelisa Taveras, M.A., CAADC, CCS
Medication-Assisted Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder
The FDA has approved three drugs, Acamprosate, Disulfiram, and Naltrexone, to treat alcohol use disorder. While it is important to remember that these drugs do not provide a cure, they have been shown to reduce alcohol consumption and increase abstinence rates when combined with behavioral treatment protocols.
Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Addiction
Paragraph: Methadone, Buprenorphine and Naltrexone are the most common FDA-approved medications used to treat opioid addiction. Methadone and buprenorphine are both classified as opioids. However, unlike illicit opioids, these medications are non-habit-forming and can have a stabilizing effect on the body to limit cravings and reduce symptoms of withdrawal. Naltrexone, while not an opioid, can help to restore normal brain function and block the euphoric effects of opioids.
These medications can be used on their own or in combination with additional healthcare services to treat opioid addiction. It is important to understand that no single treatment works best for everyone. Effective use of these medications to treat opioid addiction will involve working together with a licensed provider to find the treatment option that best suits the individual patient.
Our Approach to Medication-Assisted Treatment
At Counseling Solutions of Lehigh Valley, our mission is to create a safe space for healing through a harm-reduction and culturally competent approach to mental health and substance use recovery. We provide bilingual, DDAP and DHS licensed counseling services and work with our patients to find the best treatment options for their specific needs.
Are you ready to take back control of your life? Contact us today to request an appointment.
FAQs
Medication-Assisted Treatment is an approach to treating substance use disorder that combines FDA-approved medication with professional counseling to reduce cravings, treat withdrawal symptoms, and improve a patient's changes of long-term recovery.
The FDA has approved Acamprosate, Disulfiram, and Naltrexone to treat alcohol use disorder. They have also approved Methadone, Buprenorphine and Naltrexone to treat opioid addiction
All medications approved by the FDA to treat alcohol use disorder and opioid addiction are supported by extensive research. However, there is no single "best" medication to treat SUD. Medication-Assisted Treatment involves working with a licensed provider to find a treatment plan that works best for the individual.
Yes, Methadone is an opioid, and Buprenorphine is a partial opioid. However, unlike illicit opioids, these medications are non-habit-forming and can help restore normal brain function.
Yes, research has shown that these medications can be safe for long-term use. However, it is important to consult a qualified medical professional to create an individualized treatment plan for your unique needs.
Ready to Take Control of Your Life?
Counseling Solutions LV is a bilingual, licensed counseling center in Allentown, PA offering culturally competent, judgment-free support for mental health and substance use challenges.
We Accept All Major Health Insurance
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