Medication-Assisted Treatment

No. We only prescribe medication during detox when our treatment team deems it absolutely necessary. This depends on the type of substance the client used as well as the severity of the addiction.

Some clients skip the detox and residential portions of treatment and start outpatient treatment when their addiction isn’t as dire. So, to reiterate: No, not every client will need to take detox medication during their first few days with us.

Following SAMHSA’s guidelines, we think clients are good candidates for medication-assisted treatment (MAT) if they:

• Are diagnosed with an addiction to alcohol or opioids.
• Can fully comply with prescription instructions.
• Are fully educated on alternative options.
• Do not have physical health conditions that may get worse with the prescribed medication.
• Do not have a history of medication misuse.
• Appear to be motivated to get sober.

The first thing that must be done to begin the recovery process is to free the body of all mind-altering substances through detoxification. Evaluating the length of time and the client’s dependency on drugs or alcohol is crucial in implementing a safe detox regimen and any additional services that may be needed.

During detox, the body experiences withdrawal symptoms that differ depending on substance use. Detox is an intense process that affects the body as well as the emotions of an addict.

Strong emotions can erupt due to physical discomfort and the inability to take drugs to cope like an addict normally would. A nurse, a doctor, or a therapist can help manage the pain of detoxification through supervision, support, and possible medication.

One classification of detox is sub-acute detoxification. This detox also calls for help cleansing the body of intoxicating substances. Sub-acute means that the withdrawal symptoms may not necessarily be as life-threatening or painful as other forms of detox. Clients in sub-acute detox are typically healthier and more stabilized after withdrawal.

Pharmaceutical drugs may be omitted during sub-acute detox because they may not be necessary in these situations. Withdrawal may be a little unpleasant without medication to alleviate the symptoms. Still, the amount of time to get all the intoxicating substances out of the body is much quicker.

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) can be used in more extreme withdrawal cases. Sub-acute detox can then be used for tapering off those medications. In any scenario, it’s important to receive therapy and counseling beyond the detox treatment because staying sober is challenging without this additional support.

Certainly. Many of the top medical and recovery organizations in the country support MAT for substance use disorder. These groups include:

• American Medical Association (AMA)
• American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry (AAAP)
• American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM)

Since alcohol can cause some of the most potent withdrawal symptoms, it makes sense to use medication to alleviate the stronger symptoms in some clients. Besides naltrexone, other medications (and their brand names) that we sometimes use in alcohol treatment include:

• Disulfiram (Antabuse)
• Acamprosate (Campral)

MAT is an integral part of treatment at Harmony Place, but it’s far from the only approach to treatment we use. We’re also committed to providing invaluable clinical care, evidence-based psychotherapy, and holistic modalities.

Our evidence-based psychotherapy techniques for group and one-on-one settings include:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
• Narrative Therapy
• Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET)

Our holistic therapy program includes such modalities as:

• Acupuncture
• Yoga
• Equine-Assisted Therapy
• Art Therapy
• Physical Training

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) includes opioid antagonist therapy with methadone and buprenorphine. The drug is naltrexone, buprenorphine nitrate. According to SAMHSA, the medications used in MAT medication-assisted treatment programs are FDA-approved. Research shows that a combination of medication and therapy can successfully treat these disorders. For some people struggling with addiction, MAT can help sustain recovery. MAT is also used to prevent or reduce opioid overdose.

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) includes opioid antagonist therapy with methadone and buprenorphine. The drug is naltrexone, buprenorphine nitrate. According to SAMHSA, the medications used in MAT medication-assisted treatment programs are FDA-approved. Research shows that a combination of medication and therapy can successfully treat these disorders. For some people struggling with addiction, MAT can help sustain recovery. MAT is also used to prevent or reduce opioid overdose.