You may have heard about medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs but are unsure what the process entails or the benefits. MAT has helped hundreds of thousands of people with opioid and alcohol use disorders enjoy long-term recovery from addiction.
At The Bluffs, we understand the challenges when searching for addiction treatment options. For more information about the benefits of MAT, speak to one of our experienced staff members today at 850.374.5331.
What Is MAT?
Medication-assisted treatment uses medications to help people with opioid or alcohol use disorders reduce their usage in a safe and controlled manner. MAT is an evidence-based treatment endorsed by public health agencies such as the American Medical Association.
3 Important Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment
Because MAT relies on controlled medications with the potential to be addictive, there is still some stigma attached to the treatment, despite its endorsement by major medical associations.
While it might not be the right option for every patient, there are many benefits of MAT that you should know about before deciding which type of recovery program is best for you. Here are three of these benefits:
1. Success Rate
MAT has a higher rate of success for both rehabilitation and relapse prevention than any other form of treatment. There’s a reason for that level of success.
Withdrawal symptoms from opioids and alcohol can be severe and include extreme physical and psychological cravings. One of the advantages of medication-assisted treatment is that the medications prevent these extreme withdrawal symptoms. The opioid agonists used in MAT deter patients from using. If relapse does occur, the person won’t feel the euphoric effects of the substance, but they will feel sick.
With the absence of severe symptoms, patients are better able to function and participate in their rehabilitation. More involvement with treatment leads to a more successful recovery overall and a diminished chance of relapse.
2. It Saves Lives
Death by overdose is the number-one risk of opioid addiction. Even individuals committed to addiction treatment have strong physical cravings for opioids that can be too severe to resist.
A person who is going through withdrawals and hasn’t used substances for several days or weeks is at high risk for overdose, as their body is no longer accustomed to the dosage they were once used to. People in withdrawal from alcohol use also risk severe and even deadly side effects such as seizures and rapid heart rate if they are not medically monitored.
Keeping patients safe and healthy as they break the addiction cycle is one of the advantages of medication-assisted treatment. The medications prescribed through MAT help regulate the life-threatening symptoms and help patients focus on their treatment.
3. MAT Helps Women
An important benefit of medication-assisted treatment is the help it gives to addicted women who are pregnant. Recovery is a stressful process that can lead to pregnancy complications, including complications that are fatal to the fetus.
MAT allows a woman to maintain her body as a stable, healthy environment for pregnancy as she participates in drug or alcohol treatment. Medication-assisted treatment decreases fetal withdrawal symptoms and creates a more successful environment for expectant mothers.
Turn to The Bluffs for a Medication-Assisted Treatment Program in Ohio
A medication-assisted treatment program in Ohio is also good for local communities. By making addiction treatment available to more people, those who are struggling with addiction can find the resources they need.
If you’d like to know more about the benefits of medication-assisted treatment, contact The Bluffs today. We can help you understand if MAT is a good choice for you or a loved one and help you get started in a treatment program. Call The Bluffs at 850.374.5331 and speak to one of our compassionate counselors.
