What is Medication-Assisted Treatment?
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is a form opioid addiction treatment that combines medications and a Suboxone treatment program with counseling and behavioral therapies. This method provides a “whole-person” approach to the treatment of substance use disorders. MAT is the recommended course of opioid addiction treatment by the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry and the American Medical Association, among many others.
MAT Effectiveness
In 2018, an estimated 2 million people had an opioid use disorder, including prescription pain medication containing opioids and heroin.
MAT has proved to be clinically effective and to significantly reduce the need for inpatient detoxification services. MAT provides a more comprehensive, individually tailored program of medication and behavioral therapy that address the needs of most patients.
In short, the goal of MAT is full recovery. This includes the ability to live a self-directed life. This treatment approach has been shown to:
- Improve patient survival
- Increase retention in treatment
- Decrease illicit opioid use
- Increase patients’ ability to gain and also maintain employment
- Improve birth outcomes among women who both have substance use disorders and are pregnant
- Treat mental health and substance abuse conditions simultaneously
To learn more about medication assisted treatment and treatment for substance abuse, visit SAMHSA or NIH
MAT For Polysubstance Abuse
MAT is able to treat addiction at the source. Oftentimes, people struggle with polysubstance abuse, which means they are addicted to more than one substance at the same time. Some facing this condition may also be known as a “poly addict.” Many people who use opioids find themselves struggling to control their use of one or more other substances, such as alcohol. In fact, in 2017, 1 in every 8 adults struggled with both alcohol and drug use disorders simultaneously.
MAT can treat all of the underlying conditions leading to dependence on drugs or alcohol. This is because MAT takes a “whole person” approach to opioid addiction treatment. This treatment does not focus merely on the physical symptoms related to the substance, but also mental and emotional symptoms..
Your First Steps Towards Getting Help
Cooperative Recovery in Nashville and Murfreesboro offers effective opioid addiction treatment, including Suboxone Treatment without a wait. We specialize in state-of-the-art substance use and addiction therapy. In addition to substance abuse and addiction counseling, we also offer Trauma-Based Therapy.
