Introduction
There are several treatment options available (including in our Dallas drug rehab) to aid persons battling with drug use disorders. Many of these therapies include psychotherapy and rehabilitation ideas based on abstinence-only regimens. This notion has shown to be a highly useful method for many, yet other people continue to struggle with it owing to a number of hurdles. Alternative or complementary treatment methods, such as medication-aided therapy or medication-assisted treatment (MAT) are continuously been embraced and have been shown to be successful in lowering relapse rates in people who fail with abstinence-based programs. But, what is this MAT?
This blog by Skyward Treatment Center, one of the leading Dallas drug rehabs, entails an analysis of Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) including what it entails, candidacy for MAT, and its use in the management of opioid and alcohol addiction.
What is Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)?
MAT is a treatment approach that combines psychotherapeutic behavioral treatments like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), etc., with the use of certain medications. These medications are intended to treat specific symptoms or to create solutions for people who need more time to safely discontinue the use of a certain substance. The primary objective of MAT is to provide as many tools as possible to people who are struggling to enter recovery in order to assist them realize their goal of living a substance-free life. Most programs demand that someone receiving MAT also participate in some sort of behavioral treatment in order to continue medication management since the combination of medication management and therapy has shown to be more beneficial than taking medications alone.
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) For Opioid Use Disorder.
MAT is a comprehensive treatment for opioid addiction that combines behavioral therapy with FDA-approved medications. This evidence-based approach minimizes cravings and withdrawal symptoms, making recovery easier. The drugs used in MAT for opioid use disorder are:
- A long-acting opioid agonist that relieves withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
- A partial opioid agonist that acts on the same receptors as opioids, lowering cravings and avoiding withdrawal.
- An opioid antagonist that reduces cravings and prevents relapse by blocking the effects of opioids.
Access MAT for opioid use disorder at our Dallas drug rehab. Contact us today!
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for Alcohol Use Disorder.
MAT can also be used to treat alcohol use disorder by combining FDA-approved drugs with counseling and behavioral therapy. The drugs used in MAT for alcohol addiction are:
- This opioid antagonist alleviates cravings and the rewarding effects of alcohol, making it simpler to stay away from it.
- The medication helps to restore brain chemistry altered by long-term alcohol misuse, lowering cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
- The medication causes unpleasant bodily responses when alcohol is used, discouraging people from drinking.
Access MAT for alcohol use disorder at our Dallas drug rehab. Contact us today!
Is Medication-Assisted Treatment Right for Me?
The first thing that will happen once you come to our Dallas drug rehab is that our expert staff will conduct an evaluation. During your intake evaluation, the addiction experts will diagnose your drug use problem and assess the degree of your addiction. They will also look for any co-occurring mental health disorders. Based on this evaluation, they will offer the best kind of medication-assisted therapy for you (if you are an eligible candidate for MAT).
You are an ideal candidate for MAT if you fall under the following criteria:
- Have an active substance use disorder
- Don’t have any medical issues that can be made worse by the MAT medications.
- Are motivated to follow instructions and take prescription medication as instructed by the physician or addiction treatment specialist.
- Have a lower propensity to potential side effects of MAT.
You are not an ideal candidate for MAT if you fall under the following criteria:
- Your substance addiction cannot be addressed with MAT.
- You have severe medical conditions that can be aggravated by MAT medications.
- You do not have the desire to quit substance misuse.
Access Effective Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) at The Best Dallas Drug Rehab.
At Skyward Treatment Center, we assist clients in developing a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses their addiction treatment requirements. Many of our clients get some kind of MAT as part of their overall treatment plan, which includes the use of FDA-approved drugs for their alcohol or drug addiction. Besides, our treatment regimens are tailored to each individual’s requirements, and we alter them as you move through therapy. Contact our Dallas drug rehab now to learn more about how our MAT services can help you achieve long-term sobriety.
