Medication Assisted Treatment
Medication Assisted Treatment in Winnsboro, South Carolina
What is Medication Assisted Treatment?
MAT or Medication Assisted Treatment is a method of substance use disorder treatment where a medication is used to help a person recover from substance use disorder. Often these medications treat the symptoms of substance use disorder and/or reduce cravings for a substance. MAT is safe and effective with up to 90 percent of those who use MAT still being substance free after 2 years.
Effectiveness of Medication Assisted Treatment
Alongside evidence based therapeutic approaches Medication Assisted Treatment is incredibly effective at providing individuals in recovery with the tools that they need to achieve substance free living. After MAT was introduced in Baltimore Maryland, heroin use decreased by 37 percent. Furthermore, people who are taking advantage of medication in their recovery treatment are more likely to continue to participate in their recovery programing such as therapy appointments and group meetings.
Breaking the Stigma of MAT Treatments
MAT is a highly effective form of treatment for substance use disorder. There are some who fear that it is simply trading one addiction for another, but this is simply not true. The use of medication in substance use treatment gives a person seeking recovery the tools they need to overcome many of the most difficult aspects of choosing a substance free lifestyle. Medication Assisted Treatment is safe and effective when done under medical supervision and when combined with therapeutic methods. For most people in recovery, the use of MAT is their best chance at a life in recovery.
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Medications Used in MAT Treatments
Buprenorphine for Medication-Assisted Treatment
Buprenorphine is a medication used by healthcare professionals to treat opioid use. As with all medications used in MAT, buprenorphine should only be used if prescribed so that a doctor can monitor and adjust its use as needed. Buprenorphine is the first medication to treat opioid use that can be prescribed or dispensed in physician offices, significantly increasing access to treatment.
Buprenorphine works by occupying the brain’s receptors without producing the pleasurable effects of opioid use. If a person attempts to use an opioid while taking buprenorphine, they will not experience the euphoria that is typically associated with opioid use. Buprenorphine can be habit forming when not taken as directed, making it vital that a person follows their physician’s instructions when using the medication.
There are three common types of Buprenorphine, Suboxone, Subutex, and Sublocade. Suboxone has been used in addiction treatment since 2002 and is taken orally, every day. Subclocade was introduced and approved in 2017. Subutex is an oral medication much like Suboxone. The difference between these two medications is that Suboxone has naloxone added to it, which helps prevent the medication from becoming addictive.
Naltrexone for Medication-Assisted Treatment
Naltrexone is a medication that is useful for treating alcohol or opioid use. It causes a decrease in alcohol cravings. When used to treat opioid recovery patients, Naltrexone prevents opioids from attaching to neurochemical centers in the brain, which prevents the opioid from having its usual effects on a person. Naltrexone decreases the pleasurable feelings associated with substance use, giving the person in recovery less incentive to use alcohol or opioids.
It is important to wait until after detox for an opioid user to take Naltrexone. If a person takes the medication while opioids are still in their system it will cause sudden and severe withdrawal symptoms.
Risks of Mixing with Other Drugs
- Naltrexone can not be used while a person still has opioids in their system or they will start to experience severe withdrawal symptoms. Likewise, a person should not attempt to use opioids while taking Naltrexone. If a person uses a high enough dose of an opioid it is possible to overcome the blocking effects of the Naltrexone, but doing so is dangerous and can lead to overdose.It is important to talk to your doctor about other medications that you are taking to ensure that you are not using a medication that can react with Naltrexone. Some medications that are known to interact with Naltrexone are:
- Some diarrhea medications (such as diphenoxylate)
- Disulfiram
- Opioid pain or cough relievers (such as codeine, hydrocodone)
- Thioridazine
- Dextromethorphan
Some products that may interact with this Buprenorphine include:
- mixed opioid agonist-antagonists such as butorphanol, nalbuphine, and pentazocine
- naltrexone
- samidorphan
Many medications besides buprenorphine may affect the heart rhythm, including:
- amiodarone
- disopyramide
- dofetilide
- ibutilide
- procainamide
- quinidine
- sotalol
The use of the above medications alongside Buprenorphine can cause serious side effects, such as slow or shallow breathing, or severe drowsiness and dizziness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my Insurance Cover MAT?
Most insurance does cover Medication Assisted Treatment, including Medicare and Medicaid. For details talk to your provider, but chances are your insurance will cover MAT treatment.
Is MAT Just Trading One Addiction for Another?
Some believe that MAT simply trades one addiction for another, but in fact MAT addresses the biological and behavioral components of addiction. Think of MAT as a bridge that leads a person from substance use to recovery.
How Do I Know if I am Eligible for MAT?
The only way to know for sure if you are eligible for MAT is by talking to your doctor or someone at a professional rehabilitation facility. These individuals can help you to make a plan to address your substance use and connect you with all the treatments, including MAT, that can be a help to you.
Get In Touch
Who to contact to get more information on these services.
Director of Treatment Services
803.635.2335 x13 Phone
803.635.9695 Fax
Resource Library
Our resource library has a wealth of data, documents, and web links. You'll find fact sheets, outcome and program data, handouts, guides, and much more.
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Ready to Start Treatment? Fairfield Can Help!
At Fairfield Behavioral Health Services, we are passionate about partnering with you to help you address your behavioral health needs. Our staff is prepared to offer evidence-based, individualized treatment to help you heal and thrive. Feel free to contact us to discuss treatment options.