In Tacoma, Washington, medication-assisted treatment (MAT) can be used to help people overcome opioid and alcohol addiction. Drugs used in MAT are carefully selected based on your individual recovery needs. Most help reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms but do so differently. When you enroll in MAT in Tacoma, Washington, your care team will design a customized treatment plan with the appropriate medications and therapies.

If you are nervous about quitting alcohol or opioids because of severe withdrawal symptoms, reach out to Bayview Recovery. Our MAT in Tacoma, Washington, will make the process much more comfortable by minimizing or even eliminating withdrawal discomfort. Get the support you need to kick addiction by calling us at 855.478.3650.

3 Common Medications Used in MAT

There are several medications used in MAT that address different aspects of addiction recovery. Here are three of the most commonly used MAT medications:

1. Methadone

Methadone is a synthetic opioid used to treat opioid addiction. It is also used as a maintenance drug for opioid use disorder, with patients taking it daily under their doctor’s supervision. Methadone has a long half-life, which is the time it takes your body to process half of the drug. This allows the drug to treat pain, impart mild euphoria, and reduce cravings for up to 24 hours. However, because of its long half-life, methadone can also lead to overdose if you take too much or mix your medication with other drugs and alcohol.

2. Suboxone

Suboxone is a medication used to treat opioid use disorder. It consists of a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone. Suboxone works by binding to opioid receptors in the brain to reduce cravings for opioids and relieve symptoms of withdrawal. This drug produces a mild euphoria, unlike the more potent effects of opioids like heroin.

3. Naltrexone

Naltrexone can be used to treat opioid or alcohol addiction. It attaches to opioid receptors in the brain to block the effects of other opioids or alcohol. Unlike Suboxone, naltrexone does not induce euphoria. Its primary purpose is to alleviate cravings by reducing the reward or motivation to use substances.

How Can MAT Medications Help You Overcome Addiction?

Medication-assisted treatment combines behavioral therapies and medication to help you recover from addiction. Medications like methadone, Suboxone, and naltrexone support your recovery in several ways:

• Although some drugs used in medication-assisted treatment provide a mild euphoria, like methadone, they are less addictive than other opioids. They can alleviate withdrawal discomfort without a high risk of dependence.
• They reduce cravings to use alcohol or opioids. By either partially or fully activating opioid receptors in the brain, MAT medications can replace or block the effects of opioids or alcohol.
• They allow for a gentler, more gradual recovery process. Rather than the shock of quitting cold turkey, you can withdraw more gradually by replacing opioids with a medication like methadone.

As effective as drugs used in MAT can be for reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms, they are not a standalone treatment for addiction. To truly help you overcome addiction, these medications should be part of a medication-assisted treatment program consisting of individual counseling, group therapy, and support from addiction treatment professionals.

Bayview Recovery: Effective MAT in Tacoma, Washington

For many people, the drugs used in medication-assisted treatment can be lifesavers. Not only does MAT help relieve withdrawal symptoms, but by blocking the effects of substances in your brain that could otherwise lead to relapse, these medications can also help sustain your recovery. Even if you have struggled with quitting opioids or alcohol in the past, MAT medications can offer the second chance you need to get your life back on track. Call Bayview Recovery at 855.478.3650 or contact us online to find out if medication-assisted treatment is right for you.