MEDICATION-ASSISTED THERAPY TREATMENT​

Introduction to Medication-Assisted Therapy ​

Medication-Assisted Therapy, MAT, can be used to help individuals struggling with some forms of substance addiction. MAT is typically used in addition to treatment services, such as inpatient rehab or outpatient treatment program. 

Medication-assisted treatment for substance abuse can help improve a person’s ability to stay sober. Studies have shown that between 30-50% of individuals in recovery relapse. MAT is an additional tool that can be used to decrease your risk of relapsing. 

There are several goals that professionals have when using MAT. This would include:

• Decreasing the rate of alcohol and drug-related fatalities
• Decrease the rate of individuals stopping treatment before completing their program
• Decrease drug use, specifically opiate use, among abusers
• Improve a person’s ability to engage in their day-to-day activities such as work and school
• Improve birth outcomes for women who are struggling with addiction while pregnant

What Medications are Used for MAT? ​

Medications used for MAT are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for their use. This approach is designed to help meet different individual needs. 

MAT is primarily used for individuals who are struggling with an opioid use disorder or an alcohol use disorder. Opioid use disorders would include individuals addicted to pain medications and heroin. 

Medication-assisted treatment of alcohol addiction can include the use of acamprosate, disulfiram, and naltrexone. A consequence of alcohol addiction is that your brain changes the way it functions. Acamprosate works to help encourage your brain to try and return to its previous state.

Disulfiram is a medication that will induce negative effects when a person drinks alcohol. This typically includes headaches, nausea, vomiting, sweating, and anxiety. It can include confusion, blurred vision, and difficulty breathing which is why this medication should only be used by individuals who consent to it. For this medication to be effective, the individual needs to take it as prescribed and not skip doses. 

Naltrexone can be used for individuals struggling with alcohol or opioid addiction. Naltrexone can help reduce cravings for alcohol. It is also an opioid antagonist, which means that it will block the effects if a person uses an opioid. This includes prescription pain medications and heroin. If a person has opioids in their system when they begin taking naltrexone, they will likely experience some withdrawal symptoms. Naloxone is available as a daily oral medication and an injection that is administered every four weeks by a medical professional. Choosing to use naloxone in the injection form takes away any chances of forgetting a dose or stopping the medication abruptly.

Medication-assisted treatment for substance abuse would include buprenorphine and methadone in addition to naltrexone. Methadone can be used to reduce cravings, reduce withdrawal symptoms, and block the effects of opioids when abused. There are three forms of medication that can be taken daily. Methadone is a controlled substance, which means that individuals taking it typically have to go to a clinic daily to get their medication. 

Buprenorphine can help reduce the symptoms associated with physical dependence on opioids. This medication has a lower rate of misuse when compared to methadone which is an attractive quality for professionals.  

The final medication worth discussing would be naloxone. Naloxone can be used in an emergency situation to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. There are four different ways to administer naloxone; the most common would be a nasal spray and into the leg muscle. This medication provides temporary relief from an overdose and requires medical attention after being used. Anyone can get naloxone and keep it in their house, so if you or a loved one is struggling with opioid addiction, it is recommended to have some available if ever needed.

How Medication Assisted Therapy (MAT) Can Help in Recovery ​

Medication-assisted treatment for addiction can serve as a tool to help you in your recovery. These medications can help reduce cravings, which is a common trigger for relapse. Different medications have their own benefits because of the way that they work. This is what makes professionals able to tailor your MAT to your specific needs. 

For example, someone struggling with alcohol addiction and taking disulfiram may have second thoughts before drinking because they know that they will get sick. This second thought could lead them to call sober support, make a phone call, or go to a meeting. The point is that it makes you stop and have to think about the potential consequences of drinking. 

Naltrexone has been used for years in addiction treatment for opioids to try and combat the opioid epidemic. This medication tends to be favored when compared to methadone and other medication options due to the low risk of abuse, and if you are receiving the injection, there is less opportunity to stop taking it.

What to Expect From Our Medication-Assisted Treatment for Substance Abuse ​

Impact IOP is an outpatient drug rehab in Kentucky that can provide you with medication-assisted treatment for substance abuse. When you come to our treatment facility, you will have an intake assessment with a counselor who will take the time to understand your specific struggles and needs. 

After your assessment, you can meet with our medical staff, who can talk to you about the commonly used medications for MAT and determine which medications would be ideal for you and your lifestyle. 

While you are receiving medication-assisted treatment, you will be expected to engage in our outpatient addiction treatment program. This is because you have the best chance of succeeding in your recovery when you use therapy to address behavioral changes that occur in active addiction.

Impact IOP’s Medically Assisted Treatment for Addiction ​

Impact IOP is a drug rehab that offers intensive outpatient treatment in Louisville, KY, and the surrounding area. We work with individuals who have completed a residential treatment program and those who have mild or moderate symptoms.

Your first meeting with us would be in intake assessment, where you meet with a member of our clinical team who will take time to learn about your experiences with mental health and addiction. Typically, this includes your alcohol and drug use history, consequences of your use, your mental health history, and your current mental health symptoms. Together we will come up with a treatment plan that addresses both your addiction and mental health struggles.

If you have a history of mental health concerns, we will make sure that this is kept in mind when developing your treatment plan. Mental health concerns can be addressed during individual sessions and in some group sessions. 

If you are interested in trying medication-assisted treatment, we will schedule a meeting for you with our medical team to discuss your options. If this is a path you choose to take, you will continue meeting with our medical team throughout your treatment to touch base.

We offer an Intensive Outpatient Program, which is between 15-25 hours of group therapy per week with an hour of individual therapy. Your schedule will be determined by your treatment needs. Our IOP program will provide addiction education, relapse prevention education and planning, skill-building, and employment education if appropriate. We encourage you to attend 12-step groups as well.

Impact IOP is a professional drug and alcohol treatment center capable of providing every client with a comfortable, safe environment for recovery. It takes strength to attend addiction treatment, and we would be happy to walk beside you on your journey. If you are worried about yourself, or someone you love, we invite you to call us today at (502) 912-1038.