Understanding Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)
What is Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)?
Medication Assisted Treatment, or MAT, is one of many approaches to opioid addiction treatment. The idea behind MAT is to help protect patients in early recovery from relapse by relieving cravings. By law, MAT programs also include therapy to help patients build lasting sobriety—because Suboxone and other MAT medications are only one [optional] part of an opioid addiction treatment or other substance abuse program.
Where Does MAT Fit Into an Addiction Recovery Plan?
MAT can be helpful, but it is important to understand that it is not a “cure for addiction,” nor is it intended to be a long-term or lifelong solution for most people. In fact, MAT is optional. In most cases, remaining in a MAT program beyond the clinically recommended is unnecessary and can even be somewhat detrimental in some cases.
While it’s fair to say that it’s impossible to get “too much help” for addiction, MAT is most effective when it is just one part of a comprehensive addiction recovery plan. A good recovery plan might begin with detox (as needed) followed by a partial hospitalization program (PHP) at an addiction treatment center.
A thorough plan for long-term addiction recovery will also include an intensive outpatient program (IOP) and careful aftercare planning and case management.
Where Does MAT Fit Into Recovery?
- Medication Assisted Treatment is optional, not a requirement.
- MAT can be more helpful to people who have been to treatment many times or have struggled to put together substantial time in recovery.
- MAT may be advised as a harm reduction measure in certain situations, for example, high-risk behaviors like IV drug use and a long history of recidivism.
- Whether or not to incorporate MAT into your recovery program is a personal decision that should be made with input from addiction professionals.
How Does MAT Work in Opioid Addiction Treatment and Other Addiction Care?
There are two primary components to comprehensive MAT in opioid addiction treatment and MAT uses in drug and alcohol rehab for other disorders.
MAT Component 1: Medications
The first component is medications, which are used to help normalize brain chemistry, reduce cravings, and alleviate withdrawal symptoms. Common medications include buprenorphine and naltrexone for opioid addiction and Vivitrol (naltrexone) or acamprosate for alcohol use disorder. These are medications targeted at reducing cravings, which can help protect people in early recovery from relapse. However, secondary medications to treat clinical or situational depression or anxiety are also often prescribed in MAT for opioids and other addictions.
MAT Component 2: Therapy and Counseling
The second component of MAT in an addiction treatment center is mental health therapy and counseling, which is designed to help produce lasting sobriety by changing perspectives and, ultimately, thought and behavior patterns. The therapy and counseling component of a MAT is vital because it creates a foundation for long-term recovery. Therapy in a dual diagnosis partial hospitalization program can do much more, such as identifying co-occurring conditions like depression so they can be treated and improve the chances of long-term recovery.
How MAT Works for Opioid and Other Addictions:
- Patients are administered Suboxone or another medication to ward off cravings and ease withdrawal.
- Patients receive mental health therapy or counseling to help change thought and behavior patterns.
- Patients eventually cease taking MAT medicines and maintain sobriety by continuing to live a recovery-oriented lifestyle with involvement in 12-step or other support systems.
What Do MAT Medications Like Suboxone and Vivitrol Do Exactly?
In simple language, these drugs help either stave off withdrawal symptoms or control cravings (or both). This can make medicines like Suboxone helpful in opioid addiction treatment for people who have been to treatment many times or struggle with cravings. The medical explanation of how these medicines work in the brain and body is a bit more complex.
Opioid Addiction Treatment with Suboxone
Suboxone and its generic equivalents are made up of two different medications: One, buprenorphine, is a partial opioid agonist. That means it partially stimulates opioid receptors, which helps control cravings and ease withdrawal symptoms.
The other is naloxone, which is what’s called an opioid antagonist—which is exactly what it sounds like. A drug that blocks opioid receptors. Naloxone is included in Suboxone to discourage misuse.
Naloxone can do this in two ways: one, by blocking the partial opioid action of buprenorphine if the drug is taken in a way other than prescribed, i.e., injected as a solution, etc. The other way is by blocking the effects of other opioids. In other words, if a patient uses an opioid while on Suboxone (or Naloxone/Vivitrol), the euphoric effects will be largely blocked.
For many patients, simply knowing this is enough to help prevent relapse. But, even those few who unfortunately do relapse while on Suboxone are less likely to continue into a pattern of active addiction because the euphoric effects they seek are out of reach.
Suboxone is made of two different drugs:
- Buprenorphine: Helps reduce cravings and relieve withdrawal symptoms.
- Naloxone: Discourages misuse of the medication by blocking opioid effects.
Alcohol Addiction Treatment with Vivitrol and Other Medications
For many years, the primary MAT medication available for people with alcoholism was a drug called Antabuse (disulfiram). This medication works by blocking the body’s normal metabolization of alcohol. Specifically, it inhibits an enzyme called aldehyde dehydrogenase. In short, if a person drinks alcohol while on Antabuse, it causes a very unpleasant physical reaction that includes headache, nausea, vomiting, sweating, and rapid heartbeat.
MAT with Vivitrol for Alcohol Addiction Treatment
Today, a newer drug called Vivitrol has become a much more popular option. Vivitrol is a brand name for a form of naloxone used in MAT for alcohol use disorders AUDs). Similar to the use of naloxone in opioid addiction treatment, in the form of Vivitrol it helps reduce cravings and the rewarding effects of alcohol.
What Are The Pros and Cons of Medication Assisted Treatment?
Again, it’s important to reiterate that MAT is more than simply Suboxone, Sublocade, Vivitrol, and other medications—-MAT also includes a therapy component, which is just as important (if not more important) than the medications.
The reality is that a person can continue to make progress for the rest of their lives with mental health therapy. In contrast, MAT medications serve simply to help control cravings and moodiness in opioid addiction treatment and early recovery from other addictions. This is a very important distinction.
The Pros and Cons of MAT
Pros:
- MAT can provide relief from opioid cravings.
- MAT can be a harm-reduction strategy for patients with high-risk behaviors.
- MAT can improve the odds of long-term sobriety for some people.
Cons:
- MAT can also complicate recovery in several ways.
- Stepping down off of buprenorphine can be difficult after long-term use.
- Long-term Suboxone use may have some negative health effects.
Our Take on MAT for Opioid Addiction Treatment and Other Uses
Ohio is waging a battle against substance use disorders, and it’s all hands on deck. Addiction has ravaged our state. The opioid crisis that came in two waves, first OxyContin, then fentanyl, hurt Ohioans more than most. MAT can be an effective weapon in this battle—particularly in opioid addiction treatment.
But we must never forget that MAT is only one [optional] part of a wider recovery strategy. There is no “magic pill” that makes people recover. Real recovery, the type that produces lifelong sobriety, is earned only by doing the work.
Committing to Recovery: The Juice is Worth the Squeeze
Doing the work of recovery means incorporating a 12-step fellowship or other support program into your life and committing to a recovery lifestyle. There are no shortcuts to long-term recovery, but we will be the first to tell you that the rewards of a life in recovery are abundant. The juice is worth the squeeze!
Being able to leave drugs and alcohol behind is only one of the rewards. Recovery also allows people to feel comfortable in their own skin, look others in the eye, and live a more honest life with genuine compassion for others and gratitude for what we have.
Questions about MAT or Our Ohio Addiction Treatment Center?
Do you have questions about medication-assisted treatment (MAT), partial hospitalization, or other aspects of opioid addiction treatment?
Give us a call now: (419) 528-8007
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