To date, there are no medications for the direct treatment of drug addiction and alcoholism. There is no “magic pill”, taking which you can get rid of such diseases. But this does not mean that no medications are used at all. Medication support treatment is aimed at improving the patient’s condition and helping to overcome cravings for psychoactive substances. It is actively used in conjunction with other therapies as part of comprehensive rehabilitation programs.
The New Breath Recovery clinic for drug and alcohol addiction treatment has all the conditions for effective recovery. Here you can undergo a full course of recovery, starting with detoxification and ending with group therapies. The entire process takes place in a comfortable rehab located in California, where patients can live in private rooms, spend interesting leisure time and order their favorite dishes from the chef.
What Is Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)?
The very name “medication-assisted treatment” implies its meaning: to assist in the treatment of the underlying disease. It is useful at all stages of the fight against addiction, significantly increases its effectiveness and prevents relapses.
When MAT is being used:
- detoxification. Medication helps to cope with the painful and in some cases deadly withdrawal with medical assistance;
- elimination of cravings for psychoactive substances. Taking special medications allows you to induce in an addicted person a feeling of disgust for alcohol or block the pleasure centers so that taking drugs does not make any sense;
- psychiatric and psychological support. Medications help fight depression, anxiety disorders and other mental illnesses.
In each specific case, an individual set of medications is used. It is selected taking into account the patient’s age, condition and severity of the disease.
How Does MAT Help in Addiction Recovery?
The first problem an addicted person faces when trying to quit using substances is withdrawal symptoms. This is a general deterioration of the condition, which is caused by the fact that the body has become accustomed to the toxic effects and needs time to adapt to normal conditions. Symptoms are very painful, can be accompanied by cramps, increased temperature and pressure, nausea and vomiting, rapid heartbeat. Medically assisted drug detox helps reduce the severity of their effects on the body and discourage substance use as a way to escape the discomfort.
Cravings for drugs and alcohol can persist throughout life, even after a course of rehabilitation. Special medications help fight the urge to use a dose: some block opioid receptors, others create conditions in which even a small dose of alcohol causes intoxication of the body.
Drug and alcohol addiction is often accompanied by mental illness. This is a so-called dual diagnosis, when one disease intensifies the other. Medication treatment helps to reduce the pressure of negative factors and increase the stability of the patient.
MAT is conducted in a controlled manner as part of a comprehensive approach to therapy. This allows building a consistent treatment process in which each new step leads to tangible results and increases the motivation of the addicted person.
Common Medications Used in MAT
The most popular medications for treating MAT are:
- Naltrexone. Reduces dependence and prevents relapse. Used to treat opioid dependence and alcoholism.
- Buprenorphine. Reduces cravings for opioids and eases withdrawal symptoms.
- Methadone. Helps relieve severe opioid dependence during the medically assisted detoxification phase.
- Disulfiram. Causes a rapid unpleasant reaction, similar in symptoms to poisoning, when drinking any beverage containing alcohol.
- Acamprosate. Restores brain functionality in the treatment of chronic alcoholism, reduces the desire to consume alcohol.
Other ancillary drugs are antispasmodics, antidepressants, and medications to help improve the overall condition of the body.
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Benefits of Medication Assisted Treatment
The main advantages of using MAT are:
- elimination of pain and discomfort;
- reduction of cravings;
- developing a sense of aversion to psychoactive substances;
- consolidation of rehabilitation results;
- improvement of the general condition of the body;
- relapse prevention;
- Improvement of quality of life and re-establishment of social ties.
It is important that medications are used strictly as prescribed by doctors and in the correct dosages. Otherwise, the effect may be reversed.
The Process of MAT at New Breath Recovery
How do I understand which medications will help with substance dependence? Do a complete evaluation of the patient! That’s exactly what we do at New Breath Recovery. Experienced specialists start with trusting conversations and gathering anamnesis. The result of their painstaking work is an accurate diagnosis, taking into account the patient’s physical and mental state, age and the severity of addiction.
New Breath Recovery utilizes a comprehensive approach. MAT is a part of each step, if necessary. Medications are individualized and may be substituted with others during treatment to increase effectiveness and ensure patient safety.
But most importantly, every New Breath Recovery patient learns self-awareness during rehab and is able to live a healthy lifestyle afterward by taking the prescribed medications recommended by our specialists.
Frequently Asked Questions About Medication Assisted Treatment
Do you still have questions about MAT? Perhaps you will find comprehensive answers to them in the block below, prepared by our experts.
How long does MAT typically last?
It is impossible to say about a specific timeframe. It depends on many factors. On average, MAT is used for several months to several years. Sometimes the medication needs to be taken for a lifetime.
Is MAT safe for long-term use?
With medical supervision, the benefits of long-term drug treatment outweigh the potential risks. The dangers are posed by drugs that can themselves be addictive. For example, benzodiazepines, which may be prescribed for medically assisted alcohol detox (or drug detox).
Can MAT be combined with other forms of therapy?
It is not only possible, but also necessary. This achieves a synergy effect, when one therapy enhances the effect of another and vice versa, which leads to a faster and more durable positive result.
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