Medication-assisted treatment (also known as MAT) combines counseling and other recovery supports with prescribed medications to help reduce the cravings and withdrawal symptoms that come from stopping opioid use.
Suboxone is a long-acting medication that reduces cravings and controls withdrawal symptoms by satisfying areas of the brain affected by opioid addiction. This allows people to continue to work and function normally. Risk of overdose is lower and withdrawal from Suboxone may be milder. Suboxone is a formula that contains added naloxone, which discourages abusing or injecting it.
MAT, utilizing the drug Suboxone, has helped many individuals seek treatment who otherwise might not have. It offers a safe and effective alternative for those unable to get to an opioid treatment program on a regular basis. It works best for people who are able to adhere to treatment plan and take the medication as directed. It can also work for people who want to switch from methadone. So far, the research suggests that long-term treatment with Suboxone is safe and very effective when combined with counseling and recovery support.
Research shows Medication-Assisted Treatment can increase the chances of successful recovery, but medication alone is usually not enough. Recovery support is essential and may include help from family or friends, connections to other recovering people, and periods of professional treatment. Group therapy is utilized frequently and there are many different kinds to choose from, such as Intensive Outpatient Programs, Specialized Women’s Services or AA and NA just to name a few. The longer people stay in treatment and make use of recovery supports, the better they do abstaining from compulsive drug use.
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