Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Addiction

It is estimated that nearly 1.5 million Americans have an addiction to opioid painkillers, and of those, nearly 500,000 are addicted to heroin. The goal of medication-assisted treatment for opioid addiction is remission and lasting recovery. Recovery is a lifelong process of change where clients work to:

  • Improve health and wellbeing
  • Live independent lives
  • Reach their potential

Opioid medication-assisted treatment (MAT) uses three FDA-approved medications–methadone, Naltrexone, and buprenorphine–to help support long-term recovery for those struggling with opioid addiction.

Opioid Addiction

Opioid addiction represents a significant national crisis, with many Americans suffering from opioid addiction because of prescription opioid painkillers. This has resulted in an increase in heroin addiction as well as overdose deaths from heroin, prescription opioids, and fentanyl.

Long-term treatment is best achieved with opioid MAT, using medications that help clients get through detox more comfortably and avoid relapse, particularly during their most vulnerable recovery phases.

Studies have confirmed the effectiveness of opioid medication-assisted treatment. For example:

  • Methadone, buprenorphine, and the extended-release injectable Naltrexone were all demonstrated to be more effective in reducing opioid use and relapse compared to no medication at all.
  • Similarly, buprenorphine and methadone can significantly reduce the risk of overdose death. 

When you work with a qualified facility, they will help determine which of the three medications are best suited for your circumstances and whether you should take more than one at various stages in your recovery.

MethadoneNaltrexoneBuprenorphine 
AgonistAntagonistPartial agonist
Used during medically supervised detoxUsed to prevent relapse after medically supervised detoxUsed during medically supervised detox
Taken orallyTaken orally or via timed release injectionsCan be a sub-dermal implant, timed release injection, or other options

Methadone

Methadone helps clients in treatment during medically supervised detox. Several clinical trials and meta-analyses have confirmed the effectiveness of methadone. It is the oldest evidence-based treatment for opioid addiction, with several longitudinal studies to support effectiveness in reducing the risk of overdose, reducing criminal behavior, and boosting successful detox.

Naltrexone

Naltrexone significantly reduces opioid use and keeps clients in treatment more effectively compared to no medication. It can significantly reduce relapse rates and postpone the length of time between treatment and relapse in those who do relapse. 

Buprenorphine 

Buprenorphine is most effective in clients who are already stable. Options like implants that release low doses regularly can offer long-term medication management.

Benefits of MAT

Clients who use opioid medication-assisted treatment can benefit from a patient-centered approach to their recovery such that they are involved in some of the decisions made about the treatment they receive. 

There is no one-size-fits-all approach, which means it’s important to work with a qualified facility whose staff can offer assessments and verify which of the three medications are best for your medication-assisted treatment for opioid addiction. Moreover, a qualified facility can help determine the right length of time for your care and which evidence-based practices are more likely to boost your successful completion of a program and long-term outcome.

Many clients benefit from different levels of care depending on where they are in their lives. Residential treatment is the highest level of care and offers the best supervision and access to resources. With residential programs, clients can receive counseling and therapeutic, holistic services while also preparing for life after treatment with aftercare planning and alumni programs.

Recovery Obligations with Opioid MAT

Medication-assisted treatment for opioid addiction not only provides necessary medications to support long-term recovery but requires clients to complete continuing care through therapy. For this reason, those in need must go to qualified facilities to not only receive medication during detox but complete necessary therapy sessions during the rest of their program.

Where to Find Opioid MAT

Opioid medication-assisted treatment is highly regulated. This is not a process you can do at home. The FDA approves licensed facilities to offer one or more of the medications used during recovery.

At Liberty House Recovery Center, clients can receive detox services at our Michigan detox center. These detox services can include opioid MAT and, as part of the requirement in using those medications, clients continue with ongoing addiction therapies and recovery services. Our luxury drug and alcohol rehab in Michigan offers residential treatment services.

Addiction is a chronic condition, but it is treatable. With medication-assisted treatment for opioid addiction, clients are more likely to get through their initial detox and residential treatment program at Liberty House Recovery Center and successfully receive continuing care for acute symptoms.

Call Liberty House today to learn more about opioid MAT.

What is Medically-Assisted Treatment in Drug Rehab?

What is Medically-Assisted Treatment in Drug Rehab

Liberty House Recovery Center is the perfect place for you if you’re looking for a medically assisted drug rehab in Michigan. We offer medically assisted treatment in a safe and comfortable environment. 

Our staff is dedicated to helping you overcome your addiction and start living a healthier life. Keep reading to find out how medically assisted treatment in drug rehab is used and why it can help you with addiction recovery!

Contact Liberty House Recovery today to learn more about our detox center in Michigan.

Why is Alcohol and Drug Withdrawal Dangerous?

Alcohol and drug withdrawal can be a dangerous process. People who become dependent on certain drugs may experience painful and intense physical symptoms when they try to quit. 

These symptoms can lead to medical emergencies or even death in the worst cases.

What is Medically Assisted Treatment in Drug Rehab?

Medically assisted drug rehab is used to treat people with moderate to severe addictions.

These treatment programs help reduce the physical symptoms of withdrawal and make it easier for patients to focus on their recovery.

Which Addictions Require MAT Drug Rehab?

Opioids, alcohol, and benzodiazepines are some of the substances that require medically assisted rehab.

Opioid Dependence

In the case of opioids, medically assisted treatment is often necessary to avoid life-threatening withdrawal symptoms. 

When withdrawing from opioids, patients risk developing symptoms such as fatigue, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. 

In more severe cases, they may experience confusion, fever, irregular heartbeat, and even seizures.

Alcohol Abuse

With alcohol addictions, medically assisted treatment is often necessary to avoid severe withdrawal symptoms such as delirium tremens (DTs).

Patients who suffer from delirium tremens may experience confusion, fever, hallucinations, and seizures.

Benzodiazepines

People who are addicted to benzodiazepines also require medically assisted treatment. Withdrawal from benzodiazepines can cause symptoms such as anxiety, seizures, and insomnia. 

These symptoms can become life-threatening in severe cases, leading to coma or even death.

How Does Medically Assisted Treatment Work?

To fully recover from alcohol or drug addiction, first, you must remove the toxins from your body. Medication-assisted treatment helps detoxify your body by replacing the drug you are addicted to with medically supervised medications.

These medications reduce or eliminate withdrawal symptoms and cravings, allowing patients to focus on their recovery.

Medically assisted treatments are usually administered by a professional in a clinical setting. 

Alongside medically assisted drug rehab treatments, patients receive other mental health interventions, including:

  • Inpatient Treatment: An inpatient medically assisted treatment program is a safe and secure environment for recovering from addiction, with 24/7 medical supervision.
  • Outpatient Treatment: An outpatient medically assisted drug rehab is a less intensive treatment plan that allows patients to participate in their recovery outside of the hospital setting.
  • Intensive Outpatient Program: This program combines medically assisted treatments and counseling sessions to help patients recover.
  • Psychotherapy: Counseling or cognitive behavioral therapies are often used to help patients identify their triggers and plan healthier coping strategies.
  • Support groups: Group sessions can provide patients with emotional support and remind them that they are not alone in their recovery journey.

What Are the Benefits of Medically Assisted Treatment?

MAT addiction treatment can help patients in a few different ways. It can reduce the severity of withdrawal symptoms and make it easier for people to stick with their treatment plan.

It also allows medical professionals to monitor a patient’s progress and provide support if needed. Finally, medically assisted drug rehab increases the chances of a successful recovery.

What Medications Are Used During Addiction Treatment?

Specific medications for each disorder are used during MAT drug rehab, including:

Alcohol Addiction Medications

  • Acamprosate: Helps reduce cravings and prevent relapse.
  • Naltrexone: Blocks the effects of alcohol, reducing cravings and preventing relapse.
  • Disulfiram: Triggers an unpleasant reaction if the patient consumes alcohol while on this medication.

Opioid Addiction Medications

  • Buprenorphine: A synthetic opioid that reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms while preventing the effects of other opioids.
  • Methadone: A synthetic opioid that helps reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
  • Naltrexone: Blocks the effects of opioids, reducing cravings and preventing relapse.

Opioid Overdose Prevention Medication

  • Naloxone: Reverses the effects of an opioid overdose.

Benzodiazepine Dependence Medications

  • Flumazenil: Reverses the effects of benzodiazepines, reducing cravings and preventing relapse.

Liberty House Recovery Provides Medically Assisted Treatment in Drug Rehab 

At Liberty House, medically assisted treatment is combined with other forms of therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, group counseling, and family therapy. Our luxury drug and alcohol detox center in Michigan provides patients with a safe and comfortable environment.

We offer medically assisted detoxification that helps patients manage the physical symptoms of withdrawal so they can focus on their recovery.

Our staff is dedicated to providing high-quality care and helping our patients achieve sobriety.

If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, medically assisted treatment could be the right choice. Learn more about medically assisted drug rehab and how we can help you on your journey to recovery by calling Liberty House today!