A Medication-Assisted Treatment Is A Form Of How Are Drug Used?
In the context of addiction care, medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and wellness have a close relationship. If you or someone you love suffer from opioid or alcohol addiction, medication-assisted treatment (MAT) can a game-changer. In medication-assisted treatment, specific Food and Drug Administration (FDA)- approved medications are used to help you combat craving and withdrawal symptoms during detox and on a long-term basis. An approved member organization of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) must offer these medications as part of a tailored opioid treatment program(OTP).
In MAT, What Types Of Drugs Are Used?
Buprenorphine- Buprenorphine is an opioid agonist, meaning it trigger opioid receptors in the brain, yet not enough to cause feelings of euphoria or create withdrawal symptoms. Although it activates receptors sufficiently to relieve symptoms, it still poses the risk of diversion and abuse. Brand- name forms of buprenorphine include Suboxone (buprenorphine and naloxone) and Sublocade (pure buprenorphine). Suboxone is administered orally or a as a film, and Sublocade is administered by injection under the skin monthly.
Typically, buprenorphine treatment is provided in physician offices and outpatient facilities, such as those operated by BHG. Among our facilities we offer buprenorphine as a starting options for patients who want to use this medication. We work with non-OTP provides (who can only provide buprenorphine in a office setting ) on a referral basis so we can get each patient into the most appropriate for them.
Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist, which means that it blocks the opioid receptors that are responsible for the pleasurable feeling you get from opioids. Naltrexone is also known as Vivitrol. As Vivitrol is administered in monthly injections, it has a very low risk tolerance, dependency, or addiction since it doesn't release any dopamine. Prior to starting Vivitrol, patients must be opioid-free. After detox, Vivitrol is typically used for long-term maintenance therapy.
Methadone is a potent, long-lasting opioid agonist. It attaches to the same brain receptors as short-acting painkiller or heroin, but without producing the dramatic highs and lows that are typical when opioids are abused. The patient's physiological opioid craving is relieved and the body's metabolic and hormonal functions are normalized, which were affected by the use of illicit opioids. Additionally, methadone diminishes the effect of other opioids, reducing the desire to abuse illicit street drugs.
The Patch or nicotine gum are similar to methadone maintenance therapy for quitting smoking. Nicotine addiction is common among cigarette smokers. Since quitting smoking "cold turkey" is exceeding difficult, many people instead use nicotine gum or "The Patch" to control their nicotine craving while they learn to live without cigarettes. In the end, they will be able to live a nicotine- and cigarette-free life with without dependence on nicotine replacement therapy.
In What Ways Does MAT Help In Everyday Wellbeing During Rehabilitation?
Many substances are addictive due to their ability to stimulate the brain's pleasure and reward centers. Drug and alcohol may disrupt neurochemical processes in the brain, but many of the pharmacotherapeutics used to treat addictions restore balance to those processes.
If you or someone you care about is suffering from opioid addiction, you know how easily withdrawal can lead to relapse. Pain and sickness make it extremely difficult to give up opioids for good. The use of medication-assisted treatment can, simply put, " take the edge off ", so you will be able to focus on the lifestyle and behavioral aspects of your recovery- where the real work begins-without having to worry about withdrawal symptoms.
