Beach House Center for Recovery offers science-backed medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs that minimize withdrawal symptoms and help manage the impulses that lead to relapse.
Our compassionate team of psychiatric providers, addiction care specialists, and mental health clinicians provide customized care plans to address each patient’s unique substance use patterns, symptoms, and co-occurring disorders.
At Beach House, we understand that overcoming addiction is a life-long journey. Substance use disorder is a chronic condition that requires effective and vigilant management, dedicated support, love, connection, and a diverse assortment of tools.
MAT programs are among the most effective tools for long-term recovery.
MAT can offer exceptional outcomes for patients working to end the cycle of addiction. This intervention helps patients detox comfortably and manage cravings so they can focus on addressing the core issues that led to self-medicating behaviors.
What Is Medication-Assisted Treatment?
Addiction is not a character flaw that can be overcome with willpower.
Long-term chemical dependency causes neurological changes that can affect a person’s impulse control, dopamine transmission, and mental health.
MAT is a revolutionary treatment protocol that stabilizes brain chemistry more effectively than abstinence alone, reducing the desire to reuse substances and negating any intoxicating effects in the event of relapse.
Medicated-assisted treatment is among the most relevant treatment advances for substance use disorder because the medications are engineered to neutralize substance intoxication and inhibit the neurological responses that trigger cravings. This approach supports whole-person recovery when used in conjunction with targeted behavioral therapies.
It is important to note that medication-assisted treatment does not cure substance use disorders. However, targeted medications can decrease the likelihood of relapse by up to 50% in patients with opioid use disorder.
At Beach House, we provide personalized medication-assisted treatment programs for each patient based on essential health and lifestyle factors, including their
- degree of dependency,
- type of substances being misused,
- and medical history.
MAT is most commonly used to treat opioid addiction (e.g., like heroin or prescription painkillers).
Although opioid withdrawal symptoms aren’t necessarily life-threatening, they are undoubtedly uncomfortable.
Very often, symptoms are severe enough to cause extreme reluctance to stop opioid use, perpetuating addiction and leading to physical dependency.
Medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder begins with a medically assisted detox, where patients’ symptoms are monitored and managed with medications.
In rare cases, MAT may also treat alcohol use disorder (AUD) and other substance use disorders.
How Does Medication Help to Treat Drug Addiction?
Medication plays a crucial role in treating substance use and alcohol use disorders.
MAT combines medications with counseling, behavioral therapies, and support to provide a comprehensive approach to recovery.
Medication-assisted treatment helps combat drug addiction by
- Reducing withdrawal symptoms
- Minimizing cravings
- Blocking the effects of drugs
- Stabilizing brain function
- Supporting abstinence
- Improving treatment retention
- Reducing the risk of overdose and other health-related conditions
- Providing a stable foundation for recovery
It’s important to note that MAT is not simply substituting one drug for another. Addiction specialists carefully choose and prescribe the medications to meet your health, wellness, and sobriety goals.
MAT is most effective when tailored to the individual’s needs and integrated into a comprehensive treatment plan for long-term sobriety.
Is Methadone an Effective Treatment for Opioid Addiction?
Yes, Methadone is considered an effective treatment for opioid use disorder.
Methadone works by binding to the same receptors in the brain that opioids bind to, which helps to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings without causing the intense euphoria associated with opioids like heroin or prescription painkillers.
Like other MAT, Methadone treatment has been shown to:
- Reduce cravings
- Prevent withdrawal symptoms
- Stabilize lives that promote recovery
- Reduce the risk of overdose
It’s important to note that Methadone treatment is typically administered in specialized clinics, like Beach House, under close medical supervision to prevent misuse and monitor progress. Like any medical intervention, its effectiveness can vary, and it’s often most effective when combined with other treatments and specialized therapies.
Other Types of Medication Used in Medication-Assisted Therapy
The choice of medication used for MAT depends on the specific addiction being treated and individual health and wellness factors.
The most commonly approved medication for medicated-assisted treatment include:
- Buprenorphine: Also used for opioid addiction, it can be administered as a daily dose or a monthly injection.
- Naltrexone: Available in pill or injectable form, it’s used to prevent relapse for both opioid and alcohol use disorders.
- Disulfiram: Primarily used for alcohol use disorder, it creates unpleasant reactions when alcohol is consumed.
- Acamprosate: For alcohol use disorder, it helps reduce cravings and supports abstinence.
- Naloxone: An opioid overdose reversal medication often used alongside other MAT medications.
- Sublocade: A monthly injectable form of buprenorphine for opioid use disorder.
- Vivitrol: A monthly injection of naltrexone for opioid and alcohol use disorders.
- Topiramate: Used to reduce alcohol cravings.
- Gabapentin: Sometimes used to manage withdrawal symptoms, especially in those with alcohol use disorder.
How Effective Is Medication-Assisted Treatment for Addiction?
Medication-assisted treatment is a practical approach to treating addiction, particularly opioid and alcohol use disorders.
According to a recent study, up to 90% of patients who use medication-assisted treatment continue to maintain sobriety at the 2-year mark.
MAT has proven successful in reducing cravings, withdrawal symptoms, and the risk of overdose. It is most established for opioids and alcohol but may also benefit other substance-related addictions.
Combining medications with counseling and therapy enhances its effectiveness by addressing the physical and psychological aspects of the disorder.
In addition, MAT provides a safer environment, reduces health risks, and contributes to long-term recovery.
Beach House Center for Recovery: Compassionate, Personalized Medication-Assisted Treatment
At Beach House Center for Recovery, we believe that dedicated, science-backed treatment protocols yield the best outcomes for people battling substance and alcohol use disorders.
When combined with ongoing support, love, and connection, patients can rebuild their lives effectively, healthily, and happily.
We offer comprehensive treatment programs for various substance use disorders, behavioral disorders, and co-occurring mental health issues.
Our team of addiction specialists has decades of combined experience creating customized therapies designed to uncover and treat the root cause of addictive behaviors.
Contact our helpful admissions counselors today to learn more about our empathetic, comprehensive and safe MAT treatment program.