If you've been struggling with substance abuse, you might have heard of Medicated Assisted Treatment (MAT). It combines individual and group counseling, with medication administered under the supervision of a medical professional. In addition to reducing withdrawal symptoms, MAT also provides a way to manage triggers and avoid relapse. Listed below are the stages of MAT, and how to know when it's right for you.
MAT is a medication-assisted treatment for opioid addiction
MAT uses prescription medications to treat opioid use disorders. The main medications used in MAT are methadone and buprenorphine. Both medications depress the Central Nervous System, and co-administration with these drugs increases the risk of respiratory failure, overdose, and coma. The medications are usually prescribed for months or years, but may continue for life. MAT patients should consult with their doctors before discontinuing the medications. They should also keep these medications out of the reach of children and other people who may be affected by the medication.
In order to initiate the MAT process, a patient must have at least 4 METs of functional status, have multiple medical comorbidities, and be in need of methadone transition. Patients are initiated on MAT with two to four mg of buprenorphine every hour for six months, until they are comfortable taking the medication. The MAT provider calculates the dosage based on a ratio of one mg of buprenorphine to 10 mg of oral morphine. During the first month, a urine drug screen is conducted to monitor whether the patient is taking the prescribed dosages. The next month, the patient is followed by a follow-up visit.
It reduces withdrawal symptoms
Withdrawal symptoms from opioids are often severe, lasting hours or even days. The length of time they last varies with the drug and dosage. Withdrawal symptoms cause significant physical and mental discomfort. To help ease these symptoms, opioid medications reduce the craving for opioids and other addictive substances. The medications involved in this process include opioid agonists and alpha-2 adrenergic agonists.
Medication-assisted treatment is evidence-based and involves the use of medications to help an addict transition from substance abuse to a healthier lifestyle. Medications are not substitutes for counseling and behavioral therapy and can reduce withdrawal symptoms. There are three commonly used medications in this type of treatment. Methadone, which acts long-acting opioids, reduces cravings and prevents withdrawal symptoms. This treatment is an excellent option for those seeking recovery from addiction and is approved by the FDA.
In addition to buprenorphine, methadone is another drug used in medicated assisted treatment. It reduces withdrawal symptoms by blocking opioid-related euphoria and sedation. It has a low risk of overdose. It comes in both pure and mixed forms. Suboxone is a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone, an antagonist to the opioid receptors.
