Medication Assisted Treatment

Medication Assisted Treatment

Why is medication helpful?

One of recovery’s biggest hurdles is pushing through the first few weeks of sobriety. For many of our clients, they have been stuck in their addiction for years, often trying to stop but unable to stay stopped. Using drugs and alcohol is all they know. Their emotional dependency intensifies the physical withdrawal. We would not pull off a bandage before the wound has healed. For some clients, medication is that bandage and must be used so they can even begin the challenging work necessary for recovery and to rebuild their lives.

What is M.A.T.?

Medication Assisted Treatment (M.A.T.) is an evidence-based method that begins with the safe withdrawal from alcohol, narcotics, and/or benzodiazepines. After medical detoxification, a daily medication regimen is offered to certain clients with a history of immediate or frequent relapse after the first phase of treatment. For some, relapse commonly follows traditional treatment, due to alcohol cravings and/or opiate cravings. This process is important for some clients who require medical stability before beginning the process of recovery.

What is the evidence?

There is no controversy in addiction treatment that tapering is the most effective treatment for individuals detoxing from alcohol and benzodiazepines such as Xanax, Klonopin, and Valium. But recent evidence shows that medication assistance with narcotic withdrawal and deterrence medications for alcohol have aided in reducing immediate relapse rates. We must stress that M.A.T. is not a new movement in addiction recovery. For years now, experts in the field of recovery have called for medication maintenance programs alongside the traditional abstinence-based treatment options. Researchers have defined addiction as a chronically relapsing brain disease which, for some clients, requires medical stabilization as would other brain diseases like Major Depression or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. For a more comprehensive look at the evidence supporting M.A.T., please visit SAMHSA.gov.

What is the M.A.T program?

During treatment our team of nurses will administer and supervise the timing and dosage of medications prescribed by one of our licensed physicians.
Effectiveness of treatment is monitored by the client’s entire addiction team, and modifications are made based on progress and necessity. Some of the common medications used for narcotic M.A.T. programs is Suboxone or Subutex. For Alcohol M.A.T. programs, Vivitrol or Antabus. If you have specific questions regarding your history and whether M.A.T. is right for you, contact one of our intake specialists and they would be happy to assist you.

How much does M.A.T. cost?

Costs may vary depending on your access to coverage and the intensity of treatment. CRI-Help strives to provide access to anyone who honestly desires treatment. Many of our clients qualify for financial assistance so that money is never a barrier to getting help. Call us to see what you qualify for.