Do you want to go to detox to get control of your addiction to alcohol or drugs but worry about how it will feel? Retreat of Atlanta believes in providing a way to reduce withdrawal symptoms so that no one has to suffer needlessly while detoxing. We include Medication-Assisted Treatment in Georgia as part of our multiple detox programs. With the help of our skilled and compassionate medical and therapeutic support team, you will find our detox easier to complete than that provided by many other programs. We are happy to talk to you about if using Medication-Assisted Treatment is right for you.
Are you or a loved one struggling to find medically-assisted treatment, call us today or verify your insurance online to begin the process to a happier and healthier life.
What is Medication-Assisted Treatment?
Clinicians use medication-assisted treatment to help people with substance use disorders when they go to a drug detox program. Also known as MAT, this treatment works especially well for people addicted to alcohol or opioid drugs. It combines using prescription medications with attending therapy sessions. Medication-assisted treatment in Georgia helps promote harm reduction and a balanced approach to getting through the challenging first days of recovery. The use of MAT can shorten the amount of time a person attends a detox program and increase their chances of completing it.
How Does Medication-Assisted Treatment Work?
When someone enters a detox program. They will be assessed to determine what steps are best to help create a well-rounded approach to getting off drugs or alcohol permanently. When a person enters medication-assisted treatment, they will be provided with medications that help ease their withdrawal symptoms. At the Retreat of Atlanta they will also attend therapy sessions, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), individual, and group therapy, to help them process the emotions that come up as they begin to live a sober life.
Types of Medication-Assisted Treatment Provided in Georgia
The types of Medication-Assisted Treatment in Georgia include programs for both alcohol and opioid addiction. While prescription medications can be valuable for any addiction. The types used in MAT prove most appropriate and effective for alcohol and opioid addiction.
Medication-Assisted Treatment for Alcohol
If a person qualifies for medication-assisted treatment for an alcohol use disorder, the physician will discuss which meds will likely be the most effective. Commonly used medications for alcohol addiction include:
- Naltrexone: This drug interferes with the brain’s ability to feel happiness and euphoria when a person consumes alcohol.
- Disulfiram: Also known as Antabuse, is used when someone completes detox. If they do drink alcohol, it will cause unpleasant side effects like nausea, vomiting, and headaches.
- Acamprosate: This medication helps alleviate cravings for alcohol.
Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioids
Same as with MAT for alcohol, if a person qualifies for medication-assisted treatment for an opioid use disorder, the physician will discuss the most effective medications with them. Commonly used medications for opioid addiction include:
- Naltrexone: This drug blocks the person from feeling the euphoria they normally experience when using opioids.
- Vivitrol: A person can take an extended form of Naltrexone as a monthly injection called Vivitrol.
- Buprenorphine: Also known as Suboxone, Buprenorphine reduces cravings for opioids and helps reduce withdrawal symptoms. It is also available as a monthly injection called Sublocade.
- Clonidine: Clonidine, a medication used to treat hypertension, can also help with opioid withdrawal symptoms.
Recommended: “How Long Does Clonidine Stay in Your System?“
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How Effective is Medication-Assisted Treatment?
Because Medication-Assisted Treatment in Georgia can be quite helpful, many programs offer it as part of their curriculum. Things that influence how effective MAT is and how long it takes to complete it include the length and severity of the person’s addiction. More and more facilities include MAT as an option because of how helpful it is in reducing withdrawal symptoms. It also proves helpful for those who have a mental health disorder, such as anxiety, depression, or PTSD, along with a substance use disorder.
Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment
When someone uses Medication-Assisted Treatment in Georgia, they get the benefit of minimized withdrawal symptoms, including both physical and psychological. This makes them more likely to complete the program and avoid relapsing in the future. MAT helps reduce cravings to use substances. It allows the individual to have a clearer head when going through the initial stages of living substance-free. .
How Long Do I Stay On Medication-Assisted Treatment?
Someone using Medication-Assisted Treatment in Georgia will use it for the length of their time in a detox program. For most people, this is an average of five to ten days. The person can continue MAT when they transition to the next level of care, including residential and outpatient treatment.
Find Medication-Assisted Treatment in Georgia
Medication-Assisted Treatment in Georgia can make the difference between white-knuckling your way through detox. Going off alcohol and opioids is perhaps more difficult to do than any other type of substance. For this reason, we use medication-assisted treatment to help people navigate those tough first days of recovery. When someone doesn’t have as many physical and emotional hardships to deal with, they prove more likely to complete detox.
Call us today or verify your insurance to talk about how medication-assisted treatment can help you get through detox with minimal withdrawal symptoms. Our team is standing by to answer your questions.
