Who Can Benefit From a Medication-Assisted Treatment Program?

Posted On January 25, 2023

There is a lot of talk going around about how a medication-assisted treatment program has the capacity to change lives and bring hope to the hopeless. In many cases, a treatment program is the only way to get the attention of a person that is struggling with addiction. Honestly, not everybody that is having problems with substances is ready to quit. What this means is that there are people that can benefit from a program, and there are people that may not. 

We write this article in hopes to shed some light on the reality of addiction and the way that addiction treatment works.

What is Medication Assisted Treatment?

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is a form of treatment for individuals with an addiction to substances such as opioids, alcohol, or tobacco. It combines medication, counseling, and behavioral interventions to provide comprehensive care. 

MAT is an evidence-based treatment option that has been proven to be effective in reducing opioid overdose deaths and improving patient outcomes. The following are some of the components of MAT: 

• Administration of FDA-approved medications to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms
• Individual and/or group counseling to help patients address underlying issues behind their substance use
• Behavioral interventions to help patients develop coping skills and relapse prevention strategies
• Drug testing to monitor progress and compliance with treatment 
• Referrals to other services, such as housing and employment assistance, as needed

Medication-assisted treatment for alcohol addiction is a comprehensive approach to treating alcohol use disorder. MAT combines medication, such as naltrexone, acamprosate, or disulfiram, with counseling and behavioral therapies to provide a “whole-patient” approach to treatment. 

The main goals of MAT are to reduce alcohol cravings, ease withdrawal symptoms, and prevent relapse. The following are the main benefits of MAT:

• Decreases cravings and withdrawal symptoms
• Helps to maintain abstinence from alcohol
• Enhances counseling and other behavioral therapies
• Reduces risk of relapse
• Improves overall health, including physical and mental
• Improves quality of life

Medication-assisted addiction treatment centers have proven to be a valuable asset for thousands of people all over the world.

Heroin Addiction

Heroin addiction is a serious problem that affects many individuals and communities. It is an extremely powerful and dangerous drug and can have devastating consequences. It can be difficult to break the cycle of addiction once it has taken hold. The following are some of the effects of having a heroin addiction:

• Changes in behavior and lifestyle 
• Loss of control over the use of heroin 
• Physiological changes, including tolerance and dependence 
• Loss of job and relationships 
• Financial strain 
• Increased risk of overdose 
• Increased risk of infectious diseases 
• Severe health problems 
• Increased risk of death 

Heroin addiction can have a serious impact on an individual’s health, lifestyle, and relationships, and can be difficult to overcome. It is important to seek professional help if you or someone you know is struggling with an addiction to heroin.

Although most people that are hooked on heroin and other opiates do not exactly want to be addicted, the only way for them to actually beat the addiction is to truly want to stop using it, at all costs.

Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol addiction is another serious issue that affects many people. It can have devastating effects on an individual’s physical and mental health, as well as their relationships and social life. Symptoms of alcohol addiction include: 

• Difficulty controlling how much and how often you drink 
• Struggling to stop drinking once you start 
• Feeling guilty or embarrassed about your drinking 
• Neglecting important responsibilities or activities because of drinking 
• Experiencing physical withdrawal symptoms when you stop drinking
• Experiencing cravings for alcohol 

One of the biggest problems that surround alcohol abuse is the fact that it is completely legal and can be purchased at just about any store. 

In addition to it being so easy to purchase, all it takes is some fruit, yeast, and water to create a batch of rot-gut homemade wine.

When a person is struggling with alcohol addiction they have to make a conscious choice each and every moment to not drink, otherwise, they will be prone to relapse at any moment. Going through an alcohol addiction treatment program is a very effective way to start a journey of recovery.

Cocaine, Methamphetamine, and Stimulants

Addiction to stimulants is a serious problem that affects many people. Stimulants are drugs that increase alertness and energy, but also increase the potential for dependence and abuse. When someone becomes addicted to stimulants, they may find it difficult to quit using them and may suffer from withdrawal symptoms when they try to stop. 

Some common stimulants are:

• Caffeine 
• Amphetamines 
• Cocaine 
• Methamphetamine 
• Methylphenidate (Ritalin) 
• Nicotine 
• Dexmethylphenidate (Focalin) 
• Modafinil (Provigil) 
• Adderall 
• Ephedrine 
• MDMA (ecstasy) 
• Phentermine 
• Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ)

Stimulants can cause physical and psychological dependence and can lead to serious health problems, including heart attack, stroke, and depression. 

People with an addiction to stimulants may also be at risk for developing other forms of addiction, such as alcohol or drug dependence. It is important to seek help if you or someone you know is struggling with addiction to stimulants. Treatment options include counseling, support groups, and medication-assisted treatments.

Being Physically Addicted to Opioids

Physical addiction to opioids occurs when the body becomes dependent on the drug to function properly. This type of addiction is characterized by a compulsion to use opioids despite the negative consequences that can result. 

It is characterized by physical withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, sweating, trembling, and insomnia when opioids are not taken. Over time, an opioid user may require higher doses of the drug to achieve the same effect and may also experience cravings for opioids when not taking the drug. Physical addiction to opioids can lead to serious health problems and even death.

Some of the more common opioids that can be prescribed by a doctor are:

• Oxycodone
• Morphine
• Codeine 
• Fentanyl
• Hydrocodone
• Buprenorphine
• Methadone 
• Hydromorphone 
• Meperidine 
• Oxymorphone

Medication-assisted treatment is the best way to prevent opioid withdrawals because it helps to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms and supports long-term recovery. 

This type of treatment includes the use of medications, such as methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone, to help reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms. These medications also help reduce the risk of relapse and help individuals focus on their recovery. 

Opioid addiction treatment is a safer, more effective way to manage opioid withdrawal symptoms than attempting to quit without the help of medications. Additionally, medication-assisted treatment has been proven to be more successful in helping individuals achieve and maintain long-term recovery from opioid addiction.

Being Physically Addicted to Alcohol

Being physically addicted to alcohol is when a person’s body has become so accustomed to alcohol that it is dependent on it to function. A physically addicted person must drink alcohol in order to feel normal and to avoid experiencing serious, physical side effects such as nausea, shaking, and sweating. 

This physical addiction can lead to an increased tolerance, meaning the person must drink more alcohol in order to feel the same effects. Withdrawal symptoms can be dangerous and include anxiety, insomnia, seizures, and delirium tremens. Treatment for alcohol addiction is necessary to break the physical addiction and to ensure a successful recovery.

Delirium tremens (DTs) is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition caused by sudden withdrawal from alcohol. Symptoms include confusion, disorientation, intense tremors, and hallucinations. 

DTs can be fatal if not treated immediately and can cause long-term physical and psychological problems. The best way to prevent DTs is to reduce alcohol consumption gradually and seek help from a health professional to manage the withdrawal process. Treatment typically includes medications to reduce the symptoms, counseling, and support, and lifestyle changes to improve overall health.

Addiction In General

Addiction is a serious mental health disorder that can have an effect on a person’s life in a variety of ways. It is characterized by an intense craving for a particular substance or activity, and a person’s inability to stop or control their use of the substance or activity. 

Addiction can cause physical, emotional, and financial problems for the person affected. It can also lead to a range of social and interpersonal problems. The causes of addiction can include genetic predisposition, psychological issues, and environmental influences. Treatment for addiction often includes counseling and support groups, as well as medications, in order to help people develop healthy coping strategies and lead a more balanced life.

Who Can Benefit From Treatment?

Basically, the only way a person can be freed from the chains of addiction is to face it head-on and choose not to be controlled by it. Once the person makes that choice, they can use whatever resources are available to them to get back on track.

Many situations call for a treatment program that offers medication. As we explained earlier in this article, alcohol and opiates are powerful substances that cause physical addiction that can lead to nightmarish withdrawal symptoms, and even death.

The truth is that anybody that is struggling with addiction can benefit from a treatment program. Sometimes that program is exactly what they need to separate themselves from their favorite substance long enough to catch a breath and regain their sanity.