Deciding to seek help for substance abuse or addiction is challenging and very brave. There are many options for treatment out there, and it can be hard to know which treatment options would be best for your needs. You may be curious about medication-assisted treatment (MAT) in New Hampshire and want to learn more about this addiction treatment method to see if it is right for you. This type of treatment is becoming more and more common. Many people have been able to achieve lasting recovery with the help of medications to treat symptoms of addiction and withdrawal.
What is Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)?
Medication-assisted treatment is a form of drug treatment that uses certain medications to reduce the ability of opioids to make users feel “high,” reduces the severity of drug cravings, and reduces the risk of overdose in case of relapse.
A traditional drug treatment program usually begins with a period of inpatient detoxification. Clients are monitored by medical care staff while their body eliminates the drug and normalize its systems. With MAT, some patients can greatly reduce or even eliminate the need for a period of inpatient treatment. This allows patients who cannot walk away from their daily lives to access treatment in a way that will work better for them.
Who is a Good Candidate for MAT?
The most common MAT programs focus on people who are experiencing addiction to opioids, especially prescription opioids like oxycodone, fentanyl, and other pharmaceuticals. However, people experiencing addiction to “street” opioids such as heroin may also be good candidates for treatment in a MAT program.
Some people who a MAT center may help in New Hampshire are:
- Those who have not been using it for a long period
- People who have already tapered down to a lesser quantity
- Individuals with family obligations or other situations that would not allow for inpatient treatment
- Those who have already completed a course of addiction treatment and want support to maintain their recovery
What Kinds of Medication are Used and How Do They Work?
Often, a drug called suboxone is used in medication-assisted treatment. Suboxone is a combination of the drug buprenorphine and the drug naloxone. Buprenorphine binds to the same receptors in the brain that opioids do, essentially “taking up” the space and not allowing opioids to bind there. This reduces the euphoric effects of opioid drugs and also creates a situation where overdose is unlikely. Naloxone is used on its own to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. It is used as a component of suboxone for two reasons: first, to prevent suboxone from being intentionally misused, and second, to reduce the chances of an overdose in case the client should relapse.
What Are the Benefits of a MAT Program?
There are many studies currently being done about the long-term benefits of MAT programs in opioid addiction treatment, but so far, studies have shown that MAT programs can significantly reduce the risk of both fatal and non-fatal overdoses. Medication-assisted treatment can also be helpful as a client transitions away from using opioids, allowing the client to taper off at their own pace. MAT also gives clients the time and space they need to take advantage of drug counseling and therapy safely.
Liberty Health Services Offers Medication-Assisted Treatment in New Hampshire
As a premier treatment center in Derry, New Hampshire, Liberty Health Services is committed to helping our clients and their families heal from addiction. To learn more about our medication-assisted treatment program, contact our caring and compassionate staff today at 855.959.4521 and let us tell you how we can help.
