Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) and Treating Opioid Addiction

What Is Medication Assisted Treatment?

Medication-Assisted Treatment is a proven-based modality combined with psychotherapy and medication for those struggling with substance use disorders and alcohol abuse. When getting treated using Medication-Assisted treatment certain medications are used to stabilize brain chemistry and block dopamine receptors. This means that if someone partakes in drinking or taking pills, they will not feel the same euphoric feeling they usually get from drinking or pills. The medications used can also help manage withdrawal symptoms and physical cravings to ensure relapse rate decreases. Medication-Assisted Treatment can be used as long as needed. There is no set standard for when someone should be off it. This treatment is customized to help meet the needs of an individual person’s substance abuse disorder and the severity of withdrawals. Treatment should only continue if the person is in therapy and under the supervision of a physician.

Studies Show Medication-Assisted Treatment Can Help With:

• Help create long-term recovery reduces the risks of relapse
• Help individuals manage depression, anxiety, and substance abuse
• Improve the quality of life

What Treatment Medications Are Used For Opioid Addiction?

There are a couple medications used to treat opioid addiction:

• Buprenorphine– is used to help stop opioid dependency. It produces the same effects as opioids but creates a lower risk of misuse and dependency. Buprenorphine is used for inpatient or outpatient and must be prescribed from a Physician’s office.

• Naltrexone – blocks the receptors in the brain. Is commonly used after complete opioid detox. It can be taken orally or injected. The injection is long-acting and blocks opioid receptors for one month. Naltrexone stops the euphoric effects that opioids provide. Due to Naltrexone decreasing the tolerance of opioids effects relapsing can be very dangerous and lead to overdose. 

What Medications Are Used To Treat Alcoholism?

Alcoholism is a well-known disease that has taken over millions. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism released that nearly 16 million adults and adolescents become dependent on alcohol. Alcohol detox or individualized treatment plans that help with the root cause of the addiction and maladaptive symptoms and behaviors that have formed is the best way to reach complete recovery. There is a variety of medications that are used to treat Alcohol Use Disorder in the United States such as disulfiram, naltrexone, and acamprosate. Other medications may be prescribed for alcohol withdrawal symptoms such as benzodiazepines or anti-epileptic medications that will relax delirium tremens from severe withdrawal symptoms. Detoxing from alcohol can be very dangerous and even fatal. Detoxing under medical supervision is advised. The medications are:

• Disulfiram- or known as Antabuse is the first medication that was approved by the FDA to treat alcohol use disorder. The dopamine receptors are blocked and obstruct the metabolic process of alcohol in the body by disulfiram. There can be severe or mild side effects if taking disulfiram and drinking alcohol. 

• Acamprosate – or known as Campral is a tablet that is administered two to three times a day after a person has completed alcohol detox. This medication is designed to restore the functioning of the brain that could have been damaged during the addiction and it reduces alcohol cravings. Acamprosate is mainly taken for a year but can be administered for a shorter time depending on the individual.