Overcoming drug or alcohol addiction is tough, but the right treatment can make it easier. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) helps by using medications along with therapy to support long-term recovery.
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) combines medications with counseling to treat addiction. It works by easing withdrawal symptoms, reducing cravings, and rebalancing brain chemistry. Medical detox makes it easier to focus on recovery and avoid relapse.
MAT is effective because it treats both the physical and mental aspects of addiction. It helps restore balance in the brain, which reduces withdrawal symptoms and cravings. By stabilizing a person’s condition, MAT allows them to engage in therapy. There, they can address the emotional and behavioral causes of their substance use disorder (SUD).
This approach is used for many types of addiction, including opioid and alcohol use disorders. Combining medical support with counseling, MAT helps build the foundation for lasting recovery.
MAT has been shown to improve recovery outcomes. According to SAMHSA, combining medication with therapy is a highly effective way to treat SUDs. Some medications also support long-term recovery and help prevent or reduce opioid overdose.
By making the withdrawal process easier, people end up staying in treatment for longer. It provides a structured and safe approach to overcoming addiction. It has a wide range of benefits that specifically improve the recovery process.
MAT makes withdrawal less painful and easier to manage. This helps people get through detox safely and lowers the risk of relapse.
MAT treats both addiction and mental health conditions. It helps stabilize mood, reduce stress, and improve emotional balance.
Some MAT medications help control cravings, making it easier to stay sober. Buprenorphine and naltrexone block the urge to use drugs or alcohol.
MAT reduces the risk of overdose and severe withdrawal symptoms like delirium tremens. It also helps prevent infections and improves health outcomes for pregnant individuals in recovery.
By reducing cravings and withdrawal, MAT makes it easier for people to stay in treatment. This allows them to work, care for family, and build a stable routine.
MAT provides ongoing support for long-term recovery. It helps control cravings and withdrawal symptoms, reducing the chances of relapse.
MAT uses different medications depending on the substance being treated. Some medications were originally developed for mental health conditions like depression or anxiety. However, they also help manage withdrawal symptoms and treat co-occurring disorders. Managing both addiction and mental health makes long-term recovery easier.
Many MAT medications are also used in sedative addiction treatment. This helps people recover from dependency on benzodiazepines and other depressants. These medications support brain function during detox. This helps make withdrawal safer and more comfortable.
Acamprosate – Helps restore brain balance and reduce alcohol cravings.
Antipsychotics – Used to treat co-occurring mental health conditions that may worsen.
Baclofen – Reduces muscle spasms and withdrawal symptoms.
Benzodiazepines – Sometimes used to manage severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
Buprenorphine – A partial opioid agonist that reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
Bupropion – Used for nicotine withdrawal and depression.
Desipramine – An antidepressant that supports recovery by stabilizing mood.
Disulfiram – Causes unpleasant effects when alcohol is consumed, discouraging drinking.
Gabapentin – Can be used to manage alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
Methadone – A long-acting opioid that prevents withdrawal and cravings.
Mirtazapine (Remeron) – Helps with depression and anxiety during recovery.
Naloxone (Narcan) – A life-saving medication that reverses opioid overdoses.
Naltrexone – Blocks the effects of opioids and reduces cravings for alcohol and opioids.
Paroxetine (Paxil) – An antidepressant that supports mental health during addiction treatment.
Suboxone – A combination of buprenorphine and naloxone used for opioid addiction treatment.
Topiramate – Sometimes prescribed for alcohol and stimulant use disorders.
Vigabatrin – Being studied for possible benefits in addiction treatment.
Vivitrol – An extended-release version of naltrexone, used for opioid and alcohol addiction.
MAT helps people recover from opioid addiction by reducing cravings and blocking opioid effects. These medications help stabilize brain chemistry and prevent relapse.
MAT helps people with alcohol addiction by reducing cravings and preventing relapse. These medications help the brain recover and make sobriety easier.
MAT is safe when used under medical supervision. Some medications may have side effects, but doctors monitor patients closely to prevent problems. Just like life-saving treatments for other conditions, MAT is an important tool in addiction recovery.
At Granite Recovery Centers, we offer MAT as part of a full addiction treatment program. Our team provides personalized care, helping each person find the right medication and therapy for their needs. If you or a loved one needs help, contact us today. Recovery is possible, and we are here to support you every step of the way.
MAT helps people stay in treatment and reduces relapse. It works by managing cravings and withdrawal symptoms so people can focus on recovery.
No, MAT does not cause a new addiction when taken as prescribed. It helps stabilize brain function and supports recovery without producing a high.
Yes, MAT is effective for alcohol use disorder. Medications like acamprosate, disulfiram, and naltrexone help reduce cravings and prevent relapse.
No, MAT can also help people with moderate to severe addiction. It’s customized to each person’s needs for the best recovery support.
Contact our admissions team to discuss your treatment options. We’ll help determine if MAT is right for you and create a personalized recovery plan.
Granite Recovery Centers has been transforming the lives of alcohol and drug dependent adults from New England and well beyond.
Granite Recovery Services does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, age, marital status or receipt of public assistance in the admission or access to or treatment in its programs or activities.
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