South Carolina Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)
Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) is the utilization of medication to treat opioid use disorder (OUD). In fact, the majority of research indicates that medication assisted opioid treatment has shown to be the most effective approach to addiction recovery. MAT care significantly outperforms traditional forms of talk therapy that depend on only one aspect.
While most addiction doctors only prescribe medication, BriteLife utilizes doctor-dispensed medication as an important element of our evidence-based treatment (EBT) program. This is a more successful and accountable approach to the use of medication to treat opioid use disorder.
Medication Assisted Treatment is an Evidence-Based Addiction Therapy
Medication assisted treatment is applied for heroin, fentanyl, and other prescription narcotics. Establishing if MAT care is right for you involves a full medical evaluation and appraisal of your substance use history, medical history, and other factors. Usually, clients with a long history of opioid addiction, chronic relapse, have encouraging results because the medicine alleviates cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
It is important to point out that clients have options in a MAT approach. While some clients may detox with Suboxone or Buprenorphine, others may need a more long-term recovery plan. Regardless, clients can be safely tapered down safely and monitored by our medical team. At BriteLife, we will always tailor our addiction treatment and therapy to meet each client’s specific situation.
What is Opioid Use Disorder (OUD)?
OUD is a chronic brain disorder caused by the persistent use of opioids, including prescription drugs, such as oxycodone, and street drugs like fentanyl. It has grown substantially in the last five years. Opioid use disorder includes dysfunction of the brain reward system, motivation, memory, and related circuitry and is reflected in individuals chasing reward and/or relief by opioids. As with other chronic diseases, the clinical course of OUD includes periods of aggravation and reduction, but the person is never disease-free.
FDA Approved Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD)
- Suboxone® (buprenorphine and naloxone): a sublingual film for opioid addiction treatment used in tandem with a complete treatment plan that includes talk therapy.
- Subutex® (buprenorphine): a sublingual tablet for treatment of opioid addiction.
- Zubsolv® (buprenorphine and naloxone): a sublingual tablet for opioid addiction treatment.
- Bunavail® (buprenorphine and naloxone film): a bi-layer buccal film for treatment of opioid addiction.
- Sublocade® (buprenorphine extended-release injection): a once-a-month injection for opioid withdrawal and cravings.
- Vivitrol® (naltrexone): an extended-release injectable suspension, it is administered after detoxification and decreases the desire for opioids over the long term.
- Methadone: offered in pill and wafer forms dissolved in juice, it lessens the painful symptoms of opioid withdrawal.
Medication Assisted Treatment at BriteLife South Carolina
The medication assisted treatment program is intended for adult clients who want to put a stop to life-endangering relapse. In fact, it is one the best addiction treatments for those addicted to opioids whose goal is long-term sobriety. With the help of tried-and-true pharmacology, our clients can stabilize their lives. MAT programs like Suboxone treatment have turned out to be some of the most effective advances in addiction treatment in decades. MAT care can help clients overcome the craving and withdrawals associated with fentanyl and other opioids. Today, the primary medications used in most MAT programs include: Suboxone, Subutex, Sublocade, Naltrexone and Vivitrol.
Created expressly for the treatment of opioid addiction, MAT includes both certain medications and behavioral therapies that are intended to:
- Get clients concentrating on their recovery without cravings or withdrawal.
- Helps client integrate coping strategies and skills.
- Stabilize life.
- Harm reduction.
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