The benefits of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) allow people to reach their recovery goals more safely and with fewer setbacks and relapses. At Outreach Recovery, our goal is to aid people who are struggling with an addiction to cocaine, heroin, alcohol, and other dangerous substances. Our outpatient programs are tailored around each patient’s unique symptoms and causes behind the abuse. Our patients participate in behavioral and holistic therapies while medical staff administer medications and monitor progress throughout the program. These medications are meant as temporary support to allow individuals to get through withdrawals and continue toward building a healthy lifestyle.
To learn more about our medication-assisted treatment, call 888.897.9284 today to schedule a consultation and talk about the benefits of MAT.
How Can Medication-Assisted Treatment Benefit Addiction Recovery?
Substance use disorders have a significant impact on your physical and mental health. To properly treat addiction, you need to address both aspects of the conditions. MAT programs deal with the physical symptoms of addiction, while behavioral and holistic therapies deal with the mental side of the illness.
Why do you need more drugs to treat addiction? When you abuse alcohol, opioids, or other drugs, it causes a chemical imbalance in your body. With steady use, your body begins to adjust to the intake of new chemicals and begins to depend on them just to function normally. If you stop suddenly, your body begins to go into withdrawal, producing physical and psychological symptoms that push you to continue the abuse.
Common Substance Misuse Withdrawal Symptoms
Common substance withdrawal symptoms include:
- Nause and vomiting
- Headaches
- Chills
- Muscle and joint pain
- Constipation or diarrhea (depending on the substance you abuse)
- Sweating
- Fatigue
- Mood swings
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Intense cravings
Withdrawals can begin within 6-12 hours from the last time you drank or used drugs and will intensify over a 72-hour period. During this time, the risk of relapse is at its greatest, as is overdosing. If a person gives in to their cravings after a few days and uses the same amount or more, it can cause an overdose and death.
At Outreach Recovery, we understand the benefits of using MAT in combination with cognitive-behavioral therapy and holistic therapies like meditation and life-skills training. You will work with an experienced behavioral therapist in group and private therapy sessions in person or via telehealth services.
The Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatments
There are many medication-assisted treatment benefits that patients can experience after enrolling in an accredited addiction treatment program. Just some of the benefits of incorporating medication-assisted treatments with behavioral therapies include:
Reduces Addiction Withdrawal Symptoms
One of the biggest MAT benefits is it eases drug and alcohol withdrawal symptoms, which can make the detox process much more comfortable. Without medical support, people going through withdrawals will experience 2-3 days of ever-worsening physical withdrawals and psychological cravings. It can take up to 72 hours for these symptoms to peak, and during this time, the risks of relapse are very high.
Increases Retention in Addiction Therapy
Another medication-assisted treatment benefit is that it increases a patient’s desire to continue with the program. Because they are not overwhelmed by their withdrawal symptoms, patients are able to focus on the reasons behind the abuse and begin to develop healthier ways of coping instead of reaching for more drugs and alcohol.
Those patients who continue with the program and participate in aftercare and alumni programs are more likely to maintain lifelong sobriety.
Decreases Risks of Relapse Now and in the Future
Medication allows patients to complete the recovery process with minimal risks of relapse. They are no longer consumed by their cravings and can begin the process of developing better coping skills that allow them to resist their cravings whenever they reappear.
Medication-assisted treatment offers temporary support during the addiction recovery process. As withdrawals and cravings begin to diminish, patients will taper off the medication until it is no longer necessary.
Reach Out Today to Discover the Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment at Outreach Recovery
Outreach Recovery is a full-service addiction treatment center that welcomes individuals who are struggling with a substance use disorder and ready for a new start. Our outpatient programs allow people to begin working on their recovery while continuing to keep up with work, school, or family responsibilities. Each program includes behavioral and holistic therapies and medication-assisted treatment for a more complete recovery experience.
Call 888.897.9284 or reach out online today to discuss the benefits of medication-assisted treatments and other therapies.