Addiction to substances like opioids and alcohol may have long-lasting adverse effects on a person’s physical and mental health, making long-term sobriety difficult. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs, however, make it achievable. Addiction treatment using MAT has proven to be quite effective for long-term sobriety. Medication-assisted treatment has varying degrees of success depending on the drug being abused, but there is a reason it works for most people. Get the facts on this treatment from an addiction doctor in White Marsh below.
What Is Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)?
Substance addiction can be treated with psychotherapy and medicine, known as medication-assisted treatment (MAT). MAT is widely used to treat opioid addiction since it is the most efficient method. It seems contradictory, but drugs like methadone and naltrexone are sometimes used to treat addiction since they are chemicals that individuals become dependent on. However, this therapy’s effectiveness depends on how they are utilized.
Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
In recent years, MAT has emerged as a leading method for dealing with opioid addiction, mainly because it tracks each patient’s development meticulously. There are additional arguments in favor of MAT as an effective method of treating addiction.
1. Many Drugs Used In Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) Programs Have Received FDA Approval
Methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone are three drugs frequently used in medication-assisted therapy for addiction. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized all three drugs for addiction treatment. Some of the ways that these drugs can aid in a patient’s recovery from addiction are as follows:
- Methadone: prevents the effects of opioids and lessens cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
- Buprenorphine: lessens the severity of withdrawal and suppresses cravings.
- Naltrexone: prevents opioid-induced euphoria.
2. MAT Can Aid Recovery Since It Decreases the Likelihood of Health Issues Stemming From Drug or Alcohol Abuse
Medication for addiction therapy has the additional benefit of lowering the risk of adverse health outcomes associated with continued substance abuse. These include, for example, the increased liver enzymes that can develop into cirrhosis (alcohol use disorder) and the respiratory depression that can result from stopping alcohol usage suddenly (opioid use disorder)
3. MAT Increases Chances of Long-Term Success
Detoxification is the process of removing harmful substances from the body. It’s the initial step in treating addiction to alcohol or opioids. While it is true that some MAT drugs might alleviate the physical symptoms of detox and withdrawal, there is still a persistent myth that MAT is nothing more than a “switch” from one drug addiction to another. However, there is empirical proof that MAT can enhance patient outcomes during both the acute phase of withdrawal and the chronic phase of rehabilitation.
Medication-Assisted Treatment in White Marsh
If you or a loved one needs MAT treatment in White Marsh, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Maryland Medication Assisted Treatment and Technology (MD M.A.T.T) is a suboxone clinic in Maryland that provides various addiction treatments. Contact us for more information.
