Irvine, Jan 15, 2020 (Issuewire.com) - The US Department of Health & Human Services released an updated informational page about Medically Assisted Treatment, or MAT for short, in May of 2019. Although government agencies and public health centers previously didn't show an overabundance of support for medication-assisted treatment for addiction in the past, treatment for opioid dependence is continually proving itself to be enhanced by certain medications.
Some of these medications inhibit cravings, while others block the effects of drugs like opioids.
A few types of medically assisted treatment modalities that exist for the treatment of opioid addiction are Buprenorphine (Sublocade), Naltrexone, Vivitrol, and Acamprosate.
Buprenorphine, according to Healthy Life Recovery Center (a rehab in San Diego)'s website, is an "FDA-approved medication works as an "antagonist" against opioids." Their description continues: "It blocks the narcotic effects of opioids like heroin, oxycodone, hydrocodone, and fentanyl. [Buprenorphine] helps clients mitigate their cravings and the symptoms of opioid withdrawal. It has been proven to increase the success rate of behavioral therapies. It allows addicts to focus on recovery and concentrate on their counseling sessions."
To participate in a MAT program, an addict at a rehab center or other types of addiction treatment programs must have the written approval of an overseeing doctor.
Medication-Assisted Treatment programs are not meant to be permanent, but instead exists to jumpstart someone's recovery, and hopefully, give them the support needed to continue forward with a solid foundation.
Of course, no treatment for addiction is the magic cure. Addiction is a multifaceted disease, and thus its treatment must remain multifaceted and well-rounded, too. When combined with counseling, antidepressants, group therapy, and other contributing means of relieving addiction, MAT is often the critical component.
Without MAT, sometimes clients cannot focus on the other aspects of their treatment plan in rehabs, such as therapy, group counseling, and other helpful and relieving activities. Drugs can change the brain in a manner that doesn't quite reverse itself until months, or even years, after discontinued use. MAT might be the key factor in preventing relapses.
Arguments about MAT exist, such as that it is simply substituting drugs for another. This idea is especially prominent in multiple twelve-step programs. However, this is not true. Many sources, like drugfree.org, argue that "Taking medication for opioid addiction is like taking medication for any other chronic disease, such as diabetes or asthma. When it is used according to the doctor's instructions, the medication will not create a new addiction."
Indeed, if overseen by a licensed physician and used in conjunction with a multitude of other wide-ranging treatment methods, Medication-assisted treatment can help addicts and alcoholics reduce severe cravings and alleviate withdrawal symptoms. If one can take prescription medications for something like depression, many argue, there is no problem with taking a medication for the mental illness of addiction.
It appears that now, even government agencies cannot stay blind to their opportunities for success. With many American rehabs catching up to the MAT trend, addicts and alcoholics have another avenue for healing their disease.
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