Medical treatment for addiction does not only involve emergency drugs used to counteract an opioid overdose like the now common naloxone injection. Drugs like this are critical tools for first responders trying to save precious seconds in dire situations. However, there are many well-researched drugs that can be used to help end addiction itself through medication-assisted treatment (MAT). There’s no reason to suffer more than you already have.
If you or a loved one struggles with alcohol or opioid addiction (and chronic relapse), you may be a strong candidate for MAT. These two particular substances often have dangerous withdrawal symptoms. However, certain medications can alleviate these symptoms.
What Are the Tools of Medication-Assisted Treatment?
By looking at substance use disorders from a medical perspective, doctors have isolated chemical imbalances caused by chronic alcohol and opioid use. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a number of specialized drugs that counteract these imbalances and reduce the physical and psychological symptoms of withdrawal, which can help the success of substance abuse treatment programs.
Alcohol Addiction Treatment
For alcohol detox, these are some of the drugs you may encounter in MAT:
- Disulfiram – This oral tablet is often used after detox begins and the client is focusing on staying sober. While on disulfiram, the client will experience extreme revulsion and nausea immediately after drinking even a small amount of alcohol.
- Acamprosate – Usually taken about five days into detox. Works to prevent the client from craving alcohol but will not alleviate withdrawal symptoms if there is a relapse.
- Naltrexone – This drug is a more long-term tool to prevent relapse that blocks the positive and euphoric effects of alcohol. Naltrexone has been shown to be useful for keeping clients in treatment and out of chronic relapse.
Opioid Addiction Treatment
Opioid detox can also pose medical challenges to the client, often addressed by the following:
- Methadone – Even though it’s been around for decades, methadone still proves to be very effective at blunting the effects of opioids that may already be in the client’s system during detox while also reducing withdrawal symptoms.
- Buprenorphine – In addition to suppressing cravings, this drug can reduce the physical pain related to opioid withdrawal, making it a good choice for early use during initial detox.
- Naltrexone – Just as it does with alcohol, naltrexone curbs the positive effects of opioids to reduce psychological dependence.
All of these medications are a perfect addition to the treatment strategies used in a well-managed intensive outpatient program (IOP) that also includes individual and group therapy. Our IOP clients at Next Wind Recovery are given a personalized treatment plan that allows them to keep their employment and maintain a connection with daily life.
Next Wind Recovery Has Excellent MAT Right Here in New Jersey
You may feel uneasy about using more drugs to deal with your substance use challenges, and that’s perfectly normal. Once you are ready to enter a detox program and then go into recovery, you should ask all the questions you can. Next Wind Recovery has a full IOP center in Englewood that offers MAT and other outpatient treatment services. Experienced addiction treatment professionals supervise all of our programs. Give us a call at 201.331.6569; we’re happy to walk you through the process and explain in detail how MAT can:
- Make your journey out of addiction as pain-free as possible by giving your body a real chance to adjust to chemical abstinence
- Free your mind of distractions so that you can focus on therapy and lasting recovery
- Allow you to keep your job and maintain family connections
- Fit your schedule and your lifestyle
Talk to Us at Next Wind Recovery
You can’t do this alone. True and lasting recovery takes a lot of good people. From your friends in group therapy to the case managers who oversee your treatment and aftercare, Next Wind Recovery is a team of professionals and clients who care deeply about personal success.
Call us today at 201.331.6569 and learn how we can build a lasting support system for you. You can also look through more details about all our addiction treatment programs and facilities here.
