Medication-Assisted Treatment Program For Alcohol |
Posted: January 26, 2022 |
Opioid use disorder is a chronic disease caused by the consistent use of opioids over some time. The regular use of opioids causes a dysfunction in the brain’s reward system and negatively affects memory and motivation. In a nutshell, medication-assisted therapy is an evidence-based treatment that uses medications combined with behavioral therapy and addiction counseling to treat opioid use disorder and alcoholism. Opioids include Oxytocin, Percocet, and Vicodin, heroin, and illicit synthetics like fentanyl. MAT services are one of the most effective and long-lasting treatment programs for alcoholism and mental health disorders. It provides a well-balanced approach that has helped individuals recover from their condition more quickly by taking into account all aspects of addiction and how the disease of addiction affects the mind and body. Opioid overdose causes one death every 20 minutes making accidental opioid death the leading cause of unintentional deaths in the United States. If you or a loved one is struggling with opioid addiction or alcohol dependence, keep reading to find out how medication-assisted therapy could help. What Is Medication-Assisted Treatment?According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, the CDC estimates that the financial burden of prescription opioid misuse is $78.5 billion a year due to the costs of healthcare, addiction treatment, low productivity, and legal fees. Research has shown that using medication-assisted therapy alongside behavioral therapy has high success rates when treating substance use disorder and helps sustain recovery. Opioid addiction is a national crisis that affects the United States’ social and economic well-being. The goal of medication-assisted treatment for alcohol abuse is to recalibrate brain chemistry by blocking the euphoric effects of alcohol and opioids, stopping physical cravings, and normalizing the body’s functioning while still avoiding the repercussions and harmful effects of drugs and alcohol. Outpatient treatment programs for alcohol include a continuum of care plans through all stages of recovery. MAT services include:
This type of program also includes psychopharmacology/medication management assistance provided throughout each phase in conjunction with therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). People also have access to detoxification as an option during this process if needed. How Does Medication-Assisted Treatment Work?A MAT Program is an innovative and effective, evidence-based, comprehensive care model for people who have opioid use disorders. It includes the following four phases of treatment:
Medication management and supportive services are utilized throughout all four phases of Medication-Assisted Treatment for alcohol abuse and tailored to meet the specific needs of each patient. The length of treatment all depends on the patient. People can safely take the medications involved in medication-assisted treatment for up to a lifetime. The length of treatment depends on what the patient decides on with their doctor. Changes in frequency, dosage, or the cessation of treatment should always be discussed with the medical professionals involved. What Medications Are Used During Medication-Assisted Treatment?The following are the three drugs approved by the FDA to treat opioid dependence and alcoholism. These medications have proven to be effective when treating chemical dependency alongside counseling and therapy. MethadoneMethadone is a medication used to relieve drug cravings by activating opioid receptors in the brain while also blocking the effects of other opioids like heroin. Methadone also provides a similar feeling to opioids while being safer than using opioids unsupervised. It was created to change the way your nervous system reacts to pain in medical settings. Doctors would use it to treat an injury, pain after surgery, and illnesses that cause chronic pain. Now it’s a popular medication in replacement therapy and has shown to be an effective way to treat addiction only when used in a safe, controlled environment. BuprenorphineSimilar to methadone, buprenorphine works by preventing withdrawals and cravings; but it is not as likely to be abused. This medication is a good option for long-term medicated assisted treatment that lasts more than two years. NaltrexoneNaltrexone is a good option for short-term treatment, which reduces the risk of overdose. This medication is not a controlled substance, and it can be prescribed as a take-home medication without the need of a medical professional supervising and administrating intake. Does A Medication-Assisted Treatment Program Work For Alcohol Addiction?Once people develop a dependence on opioids, they have a physical reaction when they stop using them. Symptoms of withdrawal from opioids include unpleasant symptoms like cramping, nausea, vomiting, anxiety, diarrhea, and muscle aches. Going through opioid withdrawals is highly uncomfortable and can make recovery seem unattainable and extremely difficult. Medication can help patients maintain their regular activities, relationships, and obligations without continuing to take opioids or go through a difficult withdrawal. Medication-assisted therapy provides an individualized plan to help withdrawals and cravings. They also include therapy and counseling to help prevent relapse. Taking medication for opioid addiction should be viewed in the same light as those who take medicine for any other chronic, physical illness. No one option is appropriate for all those struggling with substance use disorder. Medication-assisted therapy is a treatment used alongside counseling and other behavioral health approaches to treat the overall disease. MAT will not be the cure-all for a patient’s addiction to alcohol or opioids. Patients are expected to engage with and explore the internal causes that lead to addiction. More info on source: https://granitemountainbhc.com/addiction-programs/medication-assisted-treatment/
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