At Gateway, there are a variety of treatment methods available to clients. Just one is Medication-Assisted Treatment or MAT. This approach includes the use of medications in an overall treatment plan. For many clients, medications can be part of a comprehensive approach to long-term health and recovery.
A Medication-Assisted Treatment program can be an essential element in a client’s recovery plan. However, no two clients are the same. As a result, no clients should be prescribed any medication without a full medical assessment.
At Gateway, all clients begin their journey to recovery with a medical exam. This may start with a basic physical to pinpoint any medical issues that need attention. It can also address any mental health concerns, some of which might require additional care. This intake evaluation can’t be skipped, and it should be included at any reputable MAT treatment centers.
There is no single, one-size-fits-all approach to addiction recovery. Medication-Assisted Treatment is just one piece of the puzzle, but it can make a difference. In a Medication-Assisted Treatment program, clients will have access to prescription drugs that can make withdrawal, sobriety or relapse prevention a little easier.
Sometimes, medications are a short-term strategy. This is especially true for those clients who are struggling more than average during withdrawal. Those rare clients that experience extended or severe withdrawal symptoms, for example, may need to rely on prescription medication as a stopgap measure.
In other cases, clients can take medications that prevent drugs from having an effect on users. If a person does take drugs like opiates, for example, they won’t experience the high. While these medications can be helpful, there are risks involved. That’s why any clients interested in MAT therapy should only go through certified MAT treatment centers.
Medication-Assisted Treatment may help clients, but there is also the risk that users will develop a secondary addiction. After all, a Medication-Assisted Treatment program may encourage the long-term use of prescription drugs. Fortunately, medical professionals and addiction experts know how to navigate this challenging issue.
There is a concern that clients who take advantage of Medication-Assisted Treatment could end up addicted to the medications that help them. Nonetheless, MAT treatment centers still prescribe drugs. That’s because, with proper supervision and guidance, these drugs will typically do far more good than harm.
The key is ensuring that clients only take medications as prescribed. Medical professionals can monitor the situation and ensure that nothing is contraindicated. MAT treatment centers like Gateway go above and beyond to make sure that the tools that aid the journey to sobriety are not abused.
Relapse is a serious and ongoing concern for clients who leave rehab. By completing a full continuum of care, clients are less likely to relapse in the years to come. Nonetheless, there are strategies like MAT that can increase the chance of lifelong sobriety.
Certain medications like Naltrexone and Disulfiram can block the effects of alcohol or cause unpleasant side effects. Both of these medications can make consuming alcohol less appealing to individuals in recovery.
Opioid dependency can also be treated in part through medication. Methadone and Buprenorphine are two examples that can reduce cravings or trick the brain into thinking it is still consuming drugs. Your Medication-Assisted Treatment program might include the use of these prescription drugs in an attempt to reduce relapse and help you stay on track.
From drug detox programs all the way to sober living opportunities, Medication-Assisted Treatment can be helpful. At Gateway, clients will have access to MAT along with a wide range of comprehensive and effective therapies. Some of the many treatment methods available include the following:
Medication-Assisted Treatment provides many benefits when it is offered in the correct environment. At Gateway, clients can find a recovery program that provides MAT therapy as well as a range of helpful therapies. Embrace recovery by calling 877.381.6538 today.
