Medication assisted treatment (MAT) combines behavioral therapy, counseling, and medications. This research-supported treatment works for individuals addicted to alcohol, opioids or other drugs. However, even though MAT has a lot of benefits, it is important to consider the risks and advantages so as to make sound treatment choices.
Understanding Medication Assisted Treatment
MAT is a technique which has been proven and is meant to cure both the psychological component of drug and alcohol addiction as well as the physiological part. This is how MAT helps people by integrating treatment with medicine – MAT helps in:
- Decreasing Cravings And Withdrawal Symptoms: There are drugs that are capable of alleviating the pain associated with the addiction thus such drugs can act to stop recovering addicts from further using the drug they are addicted to.
- Preventing Relapse: There are biological and behavioural components that can cause a person to go back to drugs after treatment and MAT reduces these chances by the use of medications that restores the chemistry of the brain and the urge to use drugs.
- Optimizing Health Status And Improving Quality Of Life: By treating the mental and physical illnesses that commonly –induced addiction, comorbid conditions – MAT may improve quality of life.
Advantages Of Medication Assisted Addiction Treatment Programs
Apart from managing the physical and psychological aspect of addiction, medically assisted addiction treatment programs have several other benefits including:
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Increased Chances of Achievement:
MAT has restorative properties which help individuals to significantly reduce the risk of reverting back to substance abuse, thereby helping individuals to remain sober for extended periods of time. MAT can also expand the net quality of life by intervening with both physical addiction and psychology by improving activities of daily living, occupational functions, and interpersonal relations.
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Reduced Dropout Rates:
These drugs can help adhere to the prescribed treatment by alleviating withdrawal symptoms. MAT has the potential to increase treatment compliance by improving the patient’s overall health status.
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Lower Rates of Overdose Incidents:
MAT may reduce the risk of overdose in recovering addicts with opioid use disorder by providing them with safer access to medications in a controlled manner.
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Reduced Healthcare Costs:
Due to decreasing costs of addiction-related healthcare such as emergency room and hospital admissions costs, over time, these interventions will be found financially sustainable.
Disadvantages of MAT
Though MAT has several benefits, there are some potential drawbacks that one should know to reduce the risks associated with MAT and get the best out of medically assisted addiction treatment programs.
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Possibility of Misuse and Addiction:
Alt Text: Recovering From Addiction
Alt Description: MAT drugs sometimes lead to dependence in people who are already recovering from addiction.
MAT medications are an important component of drug and alcohol addiction treatment, however, their overuse and/or misallocation can result in their addiction potential.
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Extended Reliance:
Some medication-assisted treatment drugs are habit-forming, thus one may feel a requirement long after the abdication period. Doctors usually prescribe a tapering down approach towards the patient to avoid the chances of addiction towards the medication.
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Discrimination & Stigma:
Still there is a stigma surrounding medication assisted treatment. Such treatments are far from being embraced, despite numerous supportive facts that exist for MAT. Also, regulatory and economic factors may restrict the provision of such services in some geographical locations.
Making Sensible Decisions About MAT
The potential benefits and potential risks of MAT should be understood to make the most of medically assisted addiction treatment programs. Some factors are worth considering:
- Severity Of Addiction: MAT can be a life sustaining intervention for the people with severe addiction.
- Personal Treatment Needs And Desires: Different people will need different approaches.
- Quality Of Care: Provision of services by qualified personnel and care of the patients are very important.
Medication Assisted Treatment: An All Encompassing Approach For Long Term Sobriety
People can develop personalized treatment plans and make informed choices by collaborating with the health care providers. When utilized appropriately, MAT is an effective strategy for recovery and ultimately achieving a more satisfying life. Be aware that Medication Assisted Treatment is one element of an integrated treatment plan. In order to achieve maximum benefits, it should be combined with therapy, counseling, and other supportive interventions. If you or someone you know has a problem with drugs or alcohol, please go for treatment. You can find help to aid your recovery from different people and organizations.
