MAT Program

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One of the most challenging parts of recovering from substance abuse is getting past the early stages of intense cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

In some cases, we prescribe medication to make that easier to do. This is called a medication-assisted treatment program, or MAT.

Below, you’ll learn more about MATs, who they’re for, and how they may be able to help you reach your substance abuse recovery goals.

What Is an MAT Program?

As the name suggests, medication-assisted treatment is a form of substance abuse recovery that involves medication. We prescribe medication to reduce your cravings and withdrawal symptoms — especially early on in the detox process.

The medication you take will reduce craving sensations, body pain, and the flu-like symptoms that are commonly associated with withdrawals. Over time, you’ll gradually taper off of the medication we prescribe until you’re able to remain sober without it.

The type and amount of medication you take will depend on your needs. For example, some forms of medication are better for opioid addiction, and others may be better for recovering heroin addicts.

The team at Maverick Behavioral Health will recommend the right medication for your unique needs. We’ll also use caution in your dosing to make sure you don’t end up swapping one addiction for another.

How Does MAT Work?

Unfortunately, there’s no medication that can solve a substance abuse problem on its own. You’ll still need to go through a traditional rehab journey to get the most out of treatment.

That’s why Maverick uses medication as one part of a broader treatment plan. For most people, that means going through the following three phases of care.

Detox

You’ll start recovery in detox. This is when your body adjusts to no longer receiving regular doses of the illicit substance you’ve been using. It’s also when we’ll begin prescribing you medication, if necessary.

Detox is typically when cravings and withdrawal symptoms peak. Medication can make this peak feel less uncomfortable. It can help you make it through this important early stage of recovery without relapsing.

Rehab

Once you finish detox, you’ll be ready to start rehab. You can do that in either an inpatient or outpatient setting. Both options will help you heal, but one may be a better fit for your needs.

Inpatient care means moving into our treatment center and living there full-time until you’ve finished rehab. Outpatient care lets you go home after receiving treatment during the day to sleep in your own bed at night. That extra freedom can be nice, but it can also lead to relapse if you aren’t careful.

If you aren’t sure which type of rehab is right for you, let us know. We can listen to your concerns and make a personalized recommendation based on our years of experience in treating addiction.

In most cases, you’ll continue taking medication during rehab if you were prescribed it in detox. Your care team will work with you to find the right time to taper off the medication as you adjust to a sober lifestyle.

Aftercare

The final step in the treatment process is aftercare. At this point, you may be fully off of the medication that we prescribed during detox. However, some patients stay on medication while in sober living or transitioning back into everyday life.

Your aftercare plan will be personalized based on your unique needs and experiences in rehab. You may continue working with your therapist and participating in group meetings. Or, we might recommend that you move into one of our sober living homes. It’ll depend on your home environment, how you’ve responded to treatment so far, and other personal factors.

Medication-Assisted Treatment FAQs

Who needs medication-assisted treatment?

MAT programs are only a fit for people with certain types of addiction. They’re especially common for those who are in recovery from opioid and heroin abuse. You might also benefit from an MAT program if you’re a recovering alcoholic.

If you’re unsure whether MAT is right for you, just let us know. We can listen to your situation and make a personalized care recommendation based on our expertise. Even if MAT isn’t an option for you, we may have a way to help you get through intense cravings and withdrawals.

Some people worry that taking medication to beat addiction is like swapping one addiction for another. However, that’s not the way MAT works.

The medications we prescribe don’t have the addictive qualities that opioids, heroin, and alcohol do. They activate the same neural receptors as these substances but without creating a dependency.

This means the medication we prescribe will be much easier to get off of than whatever illicit substance you’ve been using. Plus, we’ll use a taper plan so you gradually take less and less medication over time. The net result is that your MAT program won’t be just like swapping one addiction for another.

The general rule is that you can stay on the medication we prescribe for as long as you think you need it. The substances we prescribe aren’t addictive, and they’re safe to use. So, there’s no rush to get off of them as soon as possible.

That being said, you may stay on your MAT program for several months to several years. It just depends on the progress you make and what your care team recommends based on their experiences with you in rehab.

One disadvantage of MATs is that you need to go to a treatment center to pick up your medication — sometimes as often as daily. That may be an inconvenience, but it’s worth doing temporarily if it will help you recover.

Take the First Step with Maverick Behavioral Health

If you’re interested in MAT programs, Maverick Behavioral Health can get you started. We accept insurance from most major providers and can help arrange your transportation to our treatment center in as little as 24 hours.

So why wait? Take the first step and contact us today to get started.