Struggling with addiction? Feeling overwhelmed by cravings and withdrawal when you try to quit?
Substance Abuse Disorders (SUD) can feel impossible to overcome, but now there’s safe, effective, medicine-based addiction treatment available.
Medically Assisted Treatment (MAT) uses doctor-prescribed medicine to mask the effects of cravings and withdrawal so you can begin life-changing therapy. Providing comfort so people can focus on recovery, MAT has proven highly effective and successful when it comes to addiction recovery.
MAT medications help manage withdrawal symptoms so you can focus on recovery.
How MAT Works
Patients are prescribed medications that reduce their cravings and offer relief from the physical symptoms of substance use withdrawal.
Medications frequently used in MAT include methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone. When it comes to addiction treatment, MAT isn’t a magic bullet- medication works best when combined with actual therapy. Together, the medicine manages the physical and mental side effects of withdrawal so you can focus on your therapy, getting to the underlying cause of addiction.
Stabilizing Brain Chemistry
The medications used in MAT help to stabilize your brain chemistry and dial down cravings and withdrawal. Substance use changes brain chemistry enough to prevent us from quitting even though we want to. Reducing cravings and lessening the painful signs of withdrawal lets you focus on therapy and addiction recovery instead of just escaping pain.
MAT can quiet your mind and body enough to let you sleep. Natural, restful sleep. It can also boost your energy levels, giving you the power to do what you need to finally get healthy.
For many with substance-use disorders, MAT provides a time-out where your body and mind are treated with medicine. During this time-out – with vastly reduced cravings and release from the intense discomfort of withdrawal – people can use addiction therapy to discover the real reasons for their substance and alcohol use.
The Benefits of MAT
These are three essential benefits of MAT:
- Reduced Risk of Relapse: By lowering cravings and the pain of withdrawal, MAT helps people stay in treatment and avoid returning to drug use.
- Improved Health: Because MAT stabilizes your brain chemistry, it reduces risks to your health that might have occurred if you were still using substances.
- Increased Treatment Retention: MAT helps people stay committed to therapy, which leads to better long-term results and recovery.
Addressing Common Concerns About MAT
Some people ask if MAT is replacing one drug for another. The difference is that MAT medications are prescribed and monitored by a medical doctor, reducing cravings and withdrawal and not getting people high.
Others wonder if MAT is simply a temporary solution. The truth is that MAT is a stepping stone to addiction recovery. While some people may undergo longer periods of MAT treatment, MAT helps people live normally and rebuild their lives.
Those unfamiliar with MAT think that if you’re still using drugs, you’re not really in recovery. The facts are that MAT medications let people focus on building healthy behaviors and support systems. For many, this might not be possible without MAT medication. MAT aims to eliminate all medications once they are no longer needed.
Finally, it’s been said there’s no proof that MAT is a more effective addiction treatment than abstinence. Almost all addicted people try at some point to stop using drugs or alcohol. While some find success, many do not. This is because long-term drug use changes brain chemistry, making it nearly impossible for many to quit on their own.
The bottom line? There’s hope for addiction recovery with MAT.
In fact, in a study of MAT’s effectiveness led by the South Dakota Dept. of Health & Social Services, up to 90% of patients who use MAT maintained sobriety after two years.
Is MAT Right For You?
Nearly everyone addicted to substances wants or tries to quit at some point, but MAT provides real hope for addiction recovery. With doctor-prescribed medication that can lessen the physical effects of drug and alcohol withdrawal, MAT offers real support to those who want to get and feel better now.
Finding a MAT Program
Are you ready to give recovery another try?
MAT is available through specialized addiction treatment programs. If you or a loved one are interested in options for addiction counseling, contact us today!
(Meta Description if needed: Struggling with addiction? MAT (Medication-Assisted Treatment) offers real hope. Learn how MAT helps manage cravings & withdrawal, leading to recovery.)
