What Is Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)?
Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) is the use of anti craving medications to alleviate the cravings and urges that come with substance abuse and addiction.
Why Use MAT?
At Care Addiction Center, we believe long term sobriety is achieved with a robust treatment plan, not just medication. Our experienced and caring staff is dedicated to providing comprehensive drug treatment services for alcoholism and substance abuse with multiple levels of care. We work with patients to build coping skills for long term sobriety.
MAT becomes part of recovery because substance abuse can create brain changes that lead to addiction and an overpowering craving to use the drug, making recovery difficult. Lessening the craving allows patients to focus on the therapy and work that needs to be done to achieve sobriety.
Medications
Doctors at Care Addiction Center can prescribe anti-craving medications. The most common are:
Opiod Anti Craving Medication: Suboxone
Suboxone is a film that dissolves under the tongue, and is administered at a doctors office by a licensed controlled substance doctor. There is also a traditional oral pill.
Suboxone is an opiod antagonist that attaches to opiod receptors in brain that helps with cravings and urges. While it has been around for decades, it has become widely used in the last few years.
Alcohol Anti Craving Medication: Naltrexone
Naltrexone helps with alcoholism by reducing cravings and the urge to drink alcohol. It can be taken as a once monthly injection of Vivitrol, or in pill form, ReVia.
How Long Will You Need to Use MAT?
Patients may safely take MAT for 2 weeks, 2 years, or many years. An individual therapy plan is created with a doctor, and is different for each individual.
If you would like to find out more, or see if Care Addiction Center is the right fit, call us at: 630-402-0144.