Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) is when specific medications are used together with various therapies to help those with addictions. A medically assisted detox is less severe and shorter than a regular withdrawal.
MAT typically involves the use of drugs such as Buprenorphine and Naltrexone for opiate addiction. These medications are proven to be very effective in treating opiate withdrawal symptoms and reducing rates of relapse. For alcohol addiction, Naltrexone, Acamprosate, and Disulfiram have shown to be effective in withdrawal and relapse. The medication used will depend on the individual, their addiction, and their current state.
Medication-assisted treatment doesn’t only utilize medication though. Patients undergo a comprehensive evaluation beforehand to determine which MAT is most appropriate for them.
Therapy is also commonly used alongside MAT. While MAT can treat the physical symptoms, it cannot treat the underlying issues that often lead people to self-medicate with drugs. This is a common reason why people relapse. Here at Delray Center for Addiction Medicine we treat both the physical and mental causes and effects of addiction. Contact us to learn more.