Substance abuse is a very difficult and sensitive topic. Unfortunately, many members of society see addiction as a choice people make instead of the very serious medical problem that it is. For years, people suffering from addiction are reprimanded and punished instead of being given the treatment and rehabilitation they need to move forward in life. But to truly solve substance abuse issues, it’s important to approach it from a medical standpoint.
What Is Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)?
Medication-assisted treatment is a medical approach to treating addiction in which medications are administered to help reduce cravings and heighten the effectiveness of other therapies.
Medication-assisted treatment combines behavioral therapy and medical therapy to create a personalized treatment plan for each individual.
Medications used in medication-assisted treatment help manage withdrawal symptoms, while counseling helps people learn how their addiction began and what they can do to avoid relapse.
Medications used in medication-assisted treatment can be taken as pills, injected, or implanted.
What Are Some Examples of Medications Used in Medication-Assisted Treatment?
Naltrexone is a drug that diminishes the positive feelings people get from using alcohol or drugs and prevents people from feeling high when they use them.
Methadone is used to detox from opiates and block the effects of heroin and other opiates.
Buprenorphine is used to treat opiate addiction.
Naloxone is a medication used to treat overdoses on opiates.
In some cases, other medications may be prescribed to treat additional conditions, such as depression or anxiety.
What Are the Advantages of MAT?
Medication-assisted treatment can provide many benefits to people suffering from substance abuse.
Prevent Overdose and Relapses
Relapse is common among addicts, but medication-assisted treatment can help reduce the risk of overdose and relapse by controlling the severity of the withdrawal symptoms. For example, a person in recovery who tries to stop using heroin cold turkey is likely to experience severe side effects, such as nausea and vomiting. They may be forced to return to heroin to avoid these symptoms. Medication-assisted treatment can help reduce these withdrawal symptoms to prevent these unnecessary relapses.
Reduce the Risk of Infection and Disease
Addiction puts people at an increased risk of contracting infections and diseases like hepatitis and HIV. Medication-assisted treatment can prevent these infections and diseases by decreasing the high-risk activities associated with addiction.
Improve Mental Health
Medication-assisted treatment can also improve mental health. Studies show that people with mental illnesses are more likely to abuse alcohol or drugs. Medication-assisted treatment can help manage mental health and reduce the risk of relapse.
Improve Quality of Life
Scientists have found that people with substance abuse disorders have a ten-fold increased risk of death due to suicide, homicide, or accidental overdose. Medication-assisted treatment can improve the quality of life of people suffering from these disorders by improving their ability to cope with stress and reducing their risk of overdose.
What Are the Disadvantages of MAT?
While medication-assisted treatment delivers many benefits to people suffering from addiction, it also has several disadvantages.
Expensive
Medication-assisted treatment is costly. The medications used in medication-assisted treatment are often expensive and must be purchased by the patient. As the cost of the medication increases, only those people with the highest level of income will be able to access this method of treatment.
Addiction to Medications
Some people become addicted to their medications. It is important to work with a doctor who can monitor your progress and adjust the dosage of your medications as needed to avoid addiction. As long as the medication is administered by a licensed and experienced health professional, the risk of new addictions forming can be minimized.
Side Effects
Medication-assisted treatment can cause unpleasant side effects. While the side effects may be tolerable in the short term, they may be less acceptable in the long term. Medication-assisted treatment can also have adverse side effects on the body, such as organ damage. Again, it is important to work with a doctor who can monitor your health and adjust the dosage of your medications as needed.
The Complexity of the Treatment
Medication-assisted treatment is complex. The health care team must work together to prescribe the right medications, monitor the patient’s progress, check for adverse side effects, and be aware of potential drug interactions. The complexity of the treatment may be challenging for some people. Getting the right treatment team is essential to achieving the best results with medication-assisted treatment.
How Does MAT Compare with Other Treatment Therapies?
Medical-assisted treatment isn’t the only option for addressing substance abuse. You can also opt for other treatment therapies. And in many cases, you can undergo multiple types of treatment therapies at once. This gives the patient a more holistic approach to their treatment.
Medical-Assisted Treatment vs. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of psychotherapy that helps people who have substance abuse issues. It focuses on the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps people understand their relationship with alcohol and drugs. It also helps people learn to moderate their thoughts and behaviors, leading to lasting behavioral changes.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is often used in conjunction with other forms of treatment, such as 12-step programs or medication-assisted treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy can improve the effectiveness of medication-assisted treatment by helping people get better at resisting the urge to use drugs.
Medication-Assisted Treatment vs. 12-Step Programs
12-step programs are a behavioral approach to recovery. These programs emphasize the importance of making amends for the past and looking to fellow members for support during recovery. 12-step programs include Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. These programs can be beneficial as they provide continuous support and guidance. However, they are not always the best fit for everyone.
Medication-assisted treatment is a more structured and medical approach to addiction. This can be particularly helpful for people who are unable to maintain sobriety using traditional 12-step programs. However, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to recovery. So, if you believe a 12-step program may be a better fit for you, there is no harm in trying both.
Medical-Assisted Treatment vs. Residential Treatment Centers
Residential treatment centers are a type of treatment therapy. These centers use medically assisted treatment along with peer support and counseling for people who have substance use disorders.
Residential treatment centers are a great way to address substance abuse. However, they are not cheap. You may be able to seek out financial assistance, but the costs can be prohibitive.
Medical-assisted treatment can be used anywhere. You can opt to use these medications at home instead of going to a residential treatment center. This gives you immediate access to the medications you need and gives you the flexibility to continue living your life. It also allows you to work without worrying about adjusting to the sleep schedule and meal plan of residential treatment centers.
Final Thoughts
Medication-assisted treatment can provide many benefits to people suffering from substance abuse disorders. It can prevent overdose and relapse, reduce the risk of infections and diseases, improve mental health, and improve the quality of life. However, medication-assisted treatment can also provide a number of disadvantages, including cost and dependence on the medication. But certain disadvantages can be remedied with the proper guidance from your doctor. Overall, medication-assisted treatment is a powerful treatment therapy, but it is not always the right option for everyone. So, it’s important to discuss your options to see what will work best for you.
Source: https://ncsacw.acf.hhs.gov/topics/medication-assisted-treatment.aspx