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Medication-Assisted Treatment

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If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, you may have heard of medication-assisted treatment (MAT). It is a type of treatment that combines behavioral therapy and medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat substance use disorders (SUDs). MAT is also closely related to medically assisted detox, which is recommended for people withdrawing from drugs or alcohol.

MAT can be an effective addiction treatment, but it is essential to find a program that fits your needs. The Skywood Outpatient medication-assisted treatment program in Royal Oak, Michigan, offers a comprehensive approach to treatment that includes both medication and therapy. The staff at Skywood Outpatient understands that everyone’s journey is different, and they will work with you to create a personalized treatment plan. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, don’t hesitate to seek help. The Skywood Outpatient staff and treatment programs are here to support you on your journey to recovery.

What Is Medication-Assisted Treatment?

As mentioned earlier, MAT is a type of treatment that combines behavioral therapy and medications to treat SUDs. The FDA has approved three medications for the treatment of alcohol dependence:

  • Disulfiram
  • Naltrexone
  • Acamprosate

Disulfiram works by causing unpleasant symptoms when alcohol is consumed. Naltrexone blocks the effects of alcohol and reduces cravings. Acamprosate helps to reduce the symptoms of withdrawal and prevents relapse.

You may think that MAT is the same as medically assisted detox, but there is a crucial difference. MAT can be an effective long-term treatment option for people who have relapsed after trying to quit on their own or who are struggling with severe addiction. Detox is only meant to help you through the withdrawal phase. Medically assisted detox is designed to help people securely withdraw from drugs or alcohol. The goal of detox is to rid the body of toxins so that the person can begin their journey in recovery. Medically assisted detox can be done in an inpatient or outpatient setting. MAT is typically done in an outpatient setting and focuses on helping the person stay sober after detoxing.

What Are the Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment?

There are many benefits of medication-assisted treatment, including the following:

  • Prevents relapse
  • Reduces cravings
  • Improves patient outcomes
  • Increases retention in treatment programs

Like medically assisted detox, the primary benefit of MAT is that it can help people through the discomfort and possible pain of the body of a patient that’s getting used to not having addictive substances in the system anymore.

Who Would Benefit the Most from Medication-Assisted Treatment?

MAT can be an effective treatment for people struggling with addiction. However, not everyone would benefit from MAT. People who would most likely benefit from medication-assisted treatment are those who:

  • Have a high risk of relapse
  • Have a strong desire to get clean but have been unsuccessful in the past
  • Have been through detoxification programs more than once
  • Have relapsed after being in recovery for some time
  • Are pregnant women who are addicted to opioids
  • Are unable to commit to abstinence-based programs
  • Are struggling with mental health disorders in addition to addiction

If you or someone you care about is struggling with a co-occurring mental health disorder in addition to an SUD, you may also consider a dual diagnosis treatment program.