Medication-assisted treatment, or MAT, is a modern-day option that combines medication and psychotherapy. It plays a primary role in the effective treatment of opioid addiction. Doctors may also use it to help you recover from alcoholism. A few medications can be used during MAT. One potential option is Vivitrol. Vivitrol addiction treatment can help you reach your key sobriety goals in the right set of circumstances.
Do you need Vivitrol treatment or some other form of MAT? Learn more about when medication-assisted treatment is appropriate at Northpoint Washington.
The Criteria for Using Medication-Assisted Treatment
Do you meet the criteria for MAT? Doctors make this determination by looking for substance use disorder or SUD symptoms. This is the name for a condition that includes addiction and damaging, non-addicted abuse. There are 11 possible SUD symptoms:
- Strong cravings for the substance in question
- An inability to control your level of substance use
- Rising tolerance to the effects of a given substance
- Substance-related problems at work, at home, or in school
- Maintaining a level of substance use that you know harms your health
- Continuing a level of use that damages important relationships
- Using a given substance is clearly dangerous situations
- Making multiple unsuccessful attempts to halt your substance use
- Turning substance use into the focus of your daily routine
- Going into withdrawal when your substance use falls or stops
- Favoring substance use over previous activities or interests
To be diagnosed with a substance use disorder, you must have at least two of these symptoms. Those symptoms may be addiction-related. They may also be related to non-addicted abuse.
Be aware that MAT is only used in opioid and alcohol treatment. This means that you must not only meet the general criteria for a SUD. You must also have problems related to opioid or alcohol use.
MAT is the Detox Process
MAT begins during the detox process if you are addicted to opioids or alcohol. Detox is where you:
- Stop using the substance in question
- Receive help for the symptoms of substance withdrawal
- Reach initial sobriety
- Prepare for further treatment in rehab
Medication is sometimes the focus of MAT in detox. For example, in opioid detox, you may receive medication that serves as a temporary opioid substitute. The goal here is to help you avoid the worst effects of withdrawal as you work toward initial sobriety. As an alternative, you may take part in a holistic detox. This form of detox de-emphasizes medication use. Instead, it focuses on therapy, exercise, and additional treatments.
MAT in Follow-Up Addiction Recovery
Once you complete detox, it’s time to enter a follow-up rehab program. MAT also plays an important role here. For example, you may receive Vivitrol, an extended-release version of the medication naltrexone. This medication is administered by injection once a month. It encourages continued sobriety by stopping opioids from reaching your brain.
An addiction recovery plan that includes Vivitrol must also involve psychotherapy. Potential therapy options include cognitive-behavioral therapy and motivational enhancement therapy. Your treatment team will help you find MAT options that fit your specific needs.
Seek Medication-Assisted Treatment at Northpoint Washington
Not sure if you’re a candidate for MAT? Contact the treatment specialists at Northpoint Washington. We’ll help you determine if you meet this form of recovery support criteria.
Northpoint is also your source for top-quality MAT-related care. We feature holistic detox services. We also feature Vivitrol-based plans with a variety of psychotherapy options. Our goal is to maximize your chances for short- and long-term success in all cases. To learn more about how we can help, call us today at 888.450.2153. We’re also available through our online message form.