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Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

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Deland Treatment Solutions offers a focused and personalized approach toward patients who need help in dealing with substance dependence. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is one of the most helpful strategies we provide to help patients end their substance abuse successfully. MAT is a medical treatment that utilizes the use of some FDA-approved medications for substance use disorders in conjunction with counseling and behavioral therapies. The above-integrated approach proves important in assisting the patient to get well, and if they do, enhancing their well-being.

What is Medication-Assisted Treatment?

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is an effective treatment strategy for alcohol, opioid, and nicotine addiction that involves the use of prescription medication along with psychosocial support. MAT can be explained as a personalized treatment that encompasses not only the physical but also mental aspects of dependency. This two-faceted approach is beneficial not only for managing withdrawal symptoms and abstinence but also for treating the behavioral health disorders that co-occur with addiction.

How MAT Works

MAT works by regulating chemical imbalances in the brain, excluding dopamine activation that comes with alcohol and opioid consumption, and alleviating dependence while restoring body functions without adverse effects of the abused substances. Currently, the medications utilized in MAT are safe, legal, and clinically useful having been developed for use when taken under proper prescription to enable patients in their recovery process.

Medication-Assisted Treatment

Common Medications Used in MAT

  • Methadone: Methadone is rather a long-acting opioid agonist that helps decrease potential cravings and withdrawal syndromes in opioid addicts without causing euphoria.
  • Buprenorphine (Suboxone): So like Methadone, buprenorphine is an opioid partial agonist that can reduce the risk of relapse, but unlike Methadone, it has a ceiling effect, which minimizes the potential of misuse, addiction, and adverse effects.
  • Naltrexone (Vivitrol): Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist, which means the drug counteracts the rewarding and calming effects of opioids like heroin, morphine, and codeine. It is also used to treat alcohol addiction by controlling the urge and aiding in the restoration of complete cessation of alcohol use.

Common Disorders Treated with MAT

MAT is especially applicable to OUD and AUD as it helps to minimize dangerous withdrawal symptoms in patients. These conditions are sometimes hard to cure since they lead to physical and psychological dependence.

Common Disorders Treated with MAT

Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)

Alcohol use disorder is a chronic medical condition in which one is biologically, psychologically, and behaviourally unable to renounce the use of alcohol or effectively reduce the amount consumed. MAT has a lot of benefits in treating AUD because there are special medications that help to minimize the desire for alcohol and the risk of relapse.

How MAT is effective in Treating Alcohol use disorder

  • Bridging the gap between alcohol cessation and the subsequent decrease in the withdrawal symptoms and interfering with the craving.
  • To support in achieving and maintaining a period of alcohol abstinence.
  • Effective recovery management and avoiding the perpetuation of substance use.

Drugs Utilized in Medication-Assisted Treatment of AUD

  • Disulfiram (Antabuse): When the alcohol is ingested, it triggers an unpleasant response thereby eliminating the chances of indulging in alcohol.
  • Acamprosate (Campral): Lessens the amount of stress experienced for those who feel terrible upon not drinking alcohol.
  • Naltrexone: Reduces the rewarding effects of alcohol and thus helps to minimize craving.

Opioid Use Disorder (OUD)

Opioid use disorder refers to tales where opioid use demonstrates a clinical condition that is problematic and causes marked distress or impaired functioning. MAT is especially efficient in treating OUD because it utilizes medications to stabilize the chemical balance of the brain, lessen opioid-triggered highs, reduce cravings both physiological and psychological, and regulation of body functions.

How MAT is effective in Treating Opioid use disorder

  • Minimizing or eliminating withdrawal symptoms
  • Diminishing cravings for opioids.
  • Limiting the effects of such illicit opioids.
  • Assisting patients to become actively involved in and maintain their recovery.

Drugs Administered for the Treatment of OUD in MAT

  • Methadone: It also alleviates opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms enabling patient compliance to treatment regimen and decreasing the use of illicit opioids.
  • Buprenorphine (Suboxone): Reduces the risk of substitution, decreases the impact of physical dependence on opioids, and enhances safety in overdoses.
  • Naltrexone (Vivitrol): Helps revitalize relapse after detoxification since it antagonizes the opioid’s euphorigenic and sedative impact.

Do not let substance use disorder control you or your loved one’s life. MAT programs at Deland Treatment Solutions will give you the help you need to change and fight your addiction so that you can rediscover a better way of living. You don’t need to delay the process of starting your journey to full recovery—call us today at (386) 866-8689.


50+

Years of experience

Our leadership team has extensive experience in dual-diagnosis treatment and is ready to help those who are struggling with substance use and mental health.

20+

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Our staff consists of many licensed mental health treatment facilitators and other staff who are ready to share their experience and their success.

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Deland Treatment Solutions has helped over 2,000 people who have struggled with mental health problems find freedom to normal and healthy life.

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