Medication Assisted Treatment

According to SAMHSA, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) is the use of medications in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies for the treatment of substance use disorders. A combination of medication and behavioral therapies is effective in the treatment of substance use disorders, and can help some people to sustain recovery.

Here is a helpful guide for patients, families & friends LINK

n layman’s terms this means medications such as Buprenorphine are prescribed for patients in order to remove their need for opiate medications, and keep them from going into withdrawal. Compared to opiates Buprenorphine does not get patients high. Essentially there is just enough stimulation of the receptors in a patient’s brain that they are able to fully function without the need to get pain pills prescribed, or to find pills on the street, or to have to resort to Heroin.

There are several name brands of Buprenorphine, such as Suboxone, Zubsolv, or Bunavil. Their brands of medication or even generic medications can help patients become opiate free. The specific medicine is decided when the patient meets with the physician.

Here’s the science behind medication-assisted treatment for addiction – Click Here