Long-term opioid or alcohol use has adverse effects on brain chemistry. Addiction impairs function in the areas of your brain that regulate mood, motivation, organization, and judgment, and makes it nearly impossible to resist the urge to continue using the addictive substance. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) can help you resist the desire to use drugs or alcohol while lessening the severity of debilitating withdrawal symptoms. EXIS Recovery Inc. in West Los Angeles, California, offers MAT in combination with high-quality mental health services to help you achieve lasting recovery. To schedule a confidential consultation, call the office or book online.
Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)
What is medication assisted treatment?
Medication assisted treatment (MAT) addresses opioid and alcohol use disorders with FDA-approved medications that block substances from causing euphoria and prevent or reduce withdrawal symptoms.
When used along with counseling and therapy services, MAT can significantly reduce your risk of relapse and improve your chances of long-term recovery.
Am I a candidate for MAT?
If you or someone in your family suffers from an addiction to opioids or alcohol, MAT may help in the process of ending substance use dependency.
An evaluation by one of the highly trained and experienced professionals at EXIS Recovery Inc. can determine if your long-term recovery plan should include MAT.
In general, candidates for MAT need to have an official diagnosis of drug or alcohol addiction, the ability to comply with all prescribing instructions, and relatively stable overall health.
You might not qualify for MAT if you have:
- Addiction to substances other than opioids or alcohol
- Take other medicines that negatively interact with addiction medications
- Health conditions that addiction medicines could exacerbate
- Low motivation to end your addiction
Before beginning MAT, your provider makes sure you understand all the risks and benefits of treatment.
Which addiction medications does MAT utilize?
The most common FDA-approved medications that the experts at EXIS Recovery Inc. recommend include:
Buprenorphine
Buprenorphine has a molecular structure that’s similar to opioids, but the mild effects of buprenorphine don’t cause you to get “high.” It can lessen withdrawal symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, muscle aches, and anxiety. Subutex®, a popular brand containing buprenorphine, works well for patients who can’t tolerate combined buprenorphine-naloxone medications.
Naloxone
Opioids cause a state of euphoria by acting on specific receptors in your brain. Naloxone blocks these opioid receptors, preventing you from getting high if you do use drugs. Naloxone can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose; when combined with buprenorphine, as in the medication Suboxone®, it prevents you from getting high from drugs while your body goes through detox.
Naltrexone
Naltrexone also blocks receptors in your brain, minimizing the effects of both opioids and alcohol. Many recovery plans include long-term use of naltrexone to prevent relapse, such as programs that include monthly Vivitrol® injections.
The team at EXIS Recovery Inc. always includes individual and group therapy when designing treatment plans that include medication-assisted treatment.
To find out if MAT can help you end your struggles with addiction, call EXIS Recovery Inc. or make an appointment online today.
