Medication-assisted treatment, often referred to as MAT, is an addiction treatment option that stands out for its unique approach. MAT combines the use of medication (FDA-approved and non-addictive) with counseling and behavioral therapies to provide a comprehensive, whole-person approach to the treatment of substance use disorders. To learn if MAT is right for your recovery journey, reach out to a Suboxone treatment program in Columbus today.
What Is Medication-Assisted Treatment for Addiction?
Addiction is complex. It often requires more than willpower alone to manage, making a prescription drug rehab in Ohio a lifeline. MAT acknowledges this complexity and integrates various strategies to tackle addiction effectively. At the heart of MAT is the medical aspect—FDA-approved medications work to normalize brain chemistry, block the euphoric effects of alcohol and opioids, relieve physiological cravings, and normalize body functions without the adverse effects of the abused drug.
But MAT goes beyond the physical aspect of addiction. Therapies and counseling address the underlying motivations and anxieties leading to substance use and addiction. Behavioral therapies can help individuals modify their attitudes and behaviors related to drug use and increase healthy life skills.
5 Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment
MAT can be a life-changing decision, and it comes with many benefits. Here are five reasons why a Suboxone or Methadone treatment program might be the right path for you or a loved one on the road to recovery.
1. Reduced Harmful Behaviors
MAT has shown significant reductions in illicit opioid use and other criminal activities among participants. When participants adhere to the medication regimen and attend counseling, they are less likely to engage in risky behaviors associated with drug use.
2. Lowered Rates of Relapse
Relapses are a harsh reality of addiction recovery, but with MAT, the rates of relapse can be reduced as the body adjusts to being drug-free. The medications used also provide a safety net, often taking the edge off cravings and preventing the high one may seek.
3. Improved Mental and Physical Health
One of the most significant barriers to recovery is the mental struggle many struggling with addiction face. Medications in MAT can lead to improvements in psychological health, as individuals are often in a better position to manage co-occurring disorders like depression or anxiety. Physically, MAT helps with safer, regulated detoxification and can also lower the risk of HIV and Hepatitis C transmission.
4. Enhanced Social Functioning and Productivity
Stabilizing one’s approach to recovery is only the first step. With MAT, social functioning is enhanced as individuals are seen to work, attend school, and take part in their families and communities while remaining in their recovery program.
5. Saved Lives
Perhaps the most vital benefit is MAT’s life-saving potential. By reducing the urge to use, managing withdrawal symptoms, and providing support in the recovery process, MAT saves lives that might otherwise succumb to overdose or the many health complications associated with substance abuse.
Find Medication-Assisted Treatment in Ohio Today
In the state of Ohio, the opioid epidemic has made access to MAT not just desirable but essential. With a network of treatment centers across the state, Ohio has committed resources to ensure MAT is accessible to all who need it.
Do not take this step alone. Access a program that understands the unique challenges of addiction recovery and is driven to support you. Whether you’re in Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, or any of the towns in between, help is available.