Medications in addiction treatment have been shown to successfully treat substance use disorders and help sustain recovery. Medication can also prevent or reduce overdoses, making it crucial for many people struggling with substance use.
Medication-assisted treatment program goals are to help patients safely get through withdrawal and fully recover, including living an independent and fulfilling life. The treatment approach has been shown to provide the following benefits:
Naltrexone, buprenorphine, and methadone are three FDA-approved medications that can improve patient survival rates. By administering these life-saving medications at the correct time, they can reverse adverse outcomes caused by opioid use and even prevent fatal overdose.
Regarding OUD, naloxone is a prescribed medication that can prevent overdose by reversing its toxic effects. According to the World Health Organization, naloxone is one of many crucial medications to a functioning healthcare system. patients can sustain their recovery and prevent the fatal outcomes of substance use.
Research shows that MAT can also improve birth outcomes among pregnant women struggling with addiction. More specifically, medical professionals deem buprenorphine and methadone safe for pregnant people.
Medication-assisted treatment program goals include determining the proper medications to reduce substance cravings or uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. Inpatient MAT programs add a layer of support, including 24/7 supervision and a substance-free environment to avoid triggers. One study found that after one year post-MAT enrollment, 84% of participants abstained from opioids, and 62% stopped using all illicit substances.
Medications can help you feel more comfortable and avoid withdrawal, making you more likely to stick with treatment and focus on your recovery. Many patients who undergo MAT feel more comfortable and safer with the assistance of medical professionals and other staff.
Factors of MAT that can contribute to higher retention rates include:
Maintaining a substance-free lifestyle is often a lifelong commitment, and MAT can support your ongoing recovery efforts. Medications can help reduce cravings and lower your risk of relapse. Combined with therapy and learning healthy coping tools, MAT can be crucial to your long-term recovery. Some people can gain and maintain employment and live healthy lives without medical supervision following MAT.
Research also shows these medications can lower a person’s risk of contracting HIV or hepatitis C by reducing the potential for relapse. Ultimately, MAT is a comprehensive program that addresses all aspects of a person’s addiction, including their medical, psychological, and physical health needs. patients might experience a more successful treatment outcome when each component is cared for.
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, you likely have questions about how MAT programs can help. Here are a few common questions Gateway receives about our medication-assisted treatment program in Illinois:
At Gateway, we offer MAT in combination with other levels of care in several locations across Illinois. Each type of program across the state includes evidence-based treatment programs and a comprehensive approach.
Our physicians and health professionals administer medications and monitor their use to ensure you are safe and comfortable throughout the MAT program. Additionally, each location provides behavioral therapy and counseling to support overall recovery.
You might also be a suitable candidate for virtual outpatient treatment, allowing you to access addiction support online. This option provides even greater flexibility and accessibility, especially for anyone balancing their recovery with personal and professional obligations. Our online addiction treatment will follow a similar approach as our inpatient treatment options, allowing you to access crucial therapy from the comfort of your home.
The right therapy program depends on your unique needs, situation, and recovery goals. Most MAT programs incorporate behavioral therapy programs and peer support groups to provide a more integrative treatment.
Depending on your provider, insurance may cover some or all of MAT. Federal law mandates that health insurance companies cover mental health services, including substance use disorder programs.
The level of coverage varies depending on your provider, employer, and individual situation. Some plans may not cover all three FDA-approved medications for addiction. Others that provide coverage may require an authorization process from the patient and physician before administering these medications.
The length of your MAT program will vary depending on the medication used and your individual needs. patients receiving methadone might be advised to stay in therapy for at least one year. After the first few months of methadone treatment, professionals will likely reduce your dosage until you have achieved a maintenance level amount. Over time, physicians might reduce even more until you no longer need the methadone.
As for buprenorphine, the treatment timelines might be just a few months or several years. When you can manage and sustain your sobriety for a specific amount of time, physicians might lower the dosage to a maintenance level, similar to methadone treatment. The dose might also be tapered for the next six months as you complete therapy.
The common treatment timeline for naltrexone is around two months. At Gateway, you’ll work with medical professionals to determine when medication is no longer needed. They can also help you safely withdraw.
Medication-assisted treatment programs are helpful for people recovering from addiction. Promising research shows that MAT, along with behavioral therapy and counseling, can produce more significant results than other forms of addiction treatment. MAT also tends to reduce risky behavior, such as sharing needles, leading to lower HIV and Hepatitis C infection rates.
MAT is most effective for people with substance use that involves prescription opioids like codeine, morphine, hydrocodone, and oxycodone, and illicit opiates like heroin. It can also help people with AUD. Medications can reduce cravings and help patients with physical, mental, and emotional symptoms during withdrawal, helping them stick with recovery.
While MAT focuses on individual needs, it also creates a foundation of support from staff, peers, friends, and family to help patients achieve their lifelong recovery goals.
