Why Medicated-Assissted-Treatment is Important For Substance Use
Alcohol and drug use disorders are challenging conditions. There is no single treatment that works for all individuals. Alternatively, most people benefit from a combination of treatments.
While therapy can help with the psychosocial facet of substance use disorders, you might also benefit from medicine to treat the physiological angles and any co-occurring mental health disorders. This is termed medication-assisted treatment (MAT). If you are seeking treatment for a substance use disorder, here’s what to appreciate about medication-assisted treatment.
What Is Medication-assisted Treatment?
Medication-assisted treatment is the use of prescribed medications in conjunction with psychotherapy to help confront substance use disorders, primarily opiate and alcohol misuse. During drug or alcohol use recovery, you’ll attend therapy with a qualified therapist.
Medication-assisted treatment is when you receive prescribed medication to aid recovery. A doctor prescribes medicines that address the physical symptoms, cravings and co-occurring disorders that are contributing factors in drug and alcohol use and relapse.
These medications help you fight the urge to use addictive substances and help you to attain long-lasting recovery.
How Does Medication-assisted Treatment Work?
Your physician may recommend MAT at any stage in your substance recovery. MAT is appropriate for addiction treatment if you are:
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Medically sound
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Still wrestling with overwhelming yearnings
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Grappling with drug or alcohol addiction.
Your physician will recommend medications based on the substances you were using. That doctor will tell you how to take your prescriptions appropriately, how they work, and any side effects you could feel. They might administer the drugs themselves. Contact your clinician right away to discuss other options if you have adverse side effects.
Physicians most often recommend the following medications for MAT:
Opioids: buprenorphine, naltrexone, methadone
Alcohol: naltrexone, acamprosate, disulfiram
These medications help your brain recover from addiction, reducing compulsions for addictive substances and helping you to feel content again. You may also be prescribed painkillers, anti-nausea, and anti-anxiety prescriptions for withdrawal symptoms during detoxification.
When you initiate MAT, you should also start therapy if you haven’t done so already. Therapy for drug or alcohol disorders will help you understand the genesis of your substance use, how to cope triggers without harmful drugs or alcohol, and how to improve your mental health. Your therapy and medication will work in unison to make it possible for you to overcome your addiction.
Why Should You Get Medication-assisted Treatment For Addiction Recovery??
When you’re attempting to beat a substance use disorder, you require all the help you can get. MAT aligned with psychotherapy provides you with the best opportunity for a sustained recovery. MAT helps diminish withdrawal symptoms and rein in compulsions that could otherwise prompt you to use again. When you have improved governance over the difficulties of withdrawal and cravings, you’re more likely to:
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Prevent relapse
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Avoid overdosing
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Stay focused on recovery
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Stay sober long-term
Like all treatments during recovery from substance use disorder, MAT is designed to help you stop using harmful substances and get healthy. MAT is a proven method that fits into your busy life. If you haven’t started MAT for addiction yet, talk to your clinician about how it can help you.
Find Medication-assisted Treatment Today
If you need help starting or continuing medication-assisted treatment, call The Counseling Center at 866-850-5001 or fill out the simple contact form on this page. We reply instantly no matter the time or day. We’re here to provide the treatment you require for treating substance use disorders. Reach out 866-850-5001 today, and we’ll have a private conversation about how we can help you.