You know that your oxycodone habit is unhealthy. You also know that you need to seek treatment. What you may not know a lot about is medication assisted treatment, or MAT. But, you should because MAT might be the thing that finally helps you put down the oxycodone and succeed in recovery.
MAT is one component of a larger practice that includes medication, therapy, and support. Just as the medication can take many forms, so can the support and therapy.
You may, as many people do, feel uncomfortable about MAT because you see it as replacing one drug with another. Don’t believe it; it isn’t the case. The reality is that drug addiction is a chronic disease, like heart disease or diabetes, and chronic diseases frequently require medication management. It’s a medically sound form of treatment. Plus, there is a big difference between abusing oxycodone and taking prescription medication administered and monitored by your doctor. And, it will be monitored, closely.
As with other chronic diseases, there is a range of medication prescribed for opioid addiction management. Most frequently, patients are given buprenorphine, morphine, naloxone, and naltrexone. Each one has a slightly different function and set of side effects, and each of them will be covered in this post.
Finding the right drug for you is something that will be taken seriously by the prescribing physician. Be sure to do your homework, but you can also rely on your physician to explain things to you.
When doing your homework, you can’t make a better choice than reaching out to an expert. Oxycodone.org can offer you the information that you need. We can answer questions, discuss funding, and recommend treatment facilities. Call 888-810-2643 and speak with someone right now.
Understanding MAT
Before the medications used are broken down, you need to understand how they fit into MAT as a whole. Research demonstrates opioid addicts secure the best results with a recovery that includes MAT, especially in instances where the addiction is severe.
Medication offers the benefit of easing or eliminating withdrawal pains and cravings. It can even decrease the chances of relapse and overdose.
In addition, MAT helps users escape the highs and lows that accompany opioid addiction. Breaking this cycle will increase your overall stability. When you are steady, you can devote your energy to other portions of your addiction treatment, which will increase your engagement and retention in drug treatment, increasing your chances of a successful recovery.
MAT medications used as advised by your physician pose no risk of addiction, so be sure to follow your doctor’s orders explicitly.
Methadone
A physician can help decide which medication is best for you.
You have likely heard about methadone, which has been prescribed as part of MAT for decades. It has a high success rate, despite the fact that some users do develop an addiction to it.
You have also probably heard about methadone clinics. This is important because methadone is only available in a structured, medical setting. You may always have to go to a clinic, or with a track record of responsible use, you may have the opportunity to receive your doses in your doctor’s office.
- Adjusts the way your nervous system and brain respond to pain
- Relieves and may eliminate symptoms of withdrawal
- Thwarts efforts to get “high”
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), states methadone is available as:
- Pills
- Liquids
- Wafers
Naltrexone
Naltrexone is used for more than one condition. It is used in both alcohol MAT and opioid.
Naltrexone:
- Links to brain receptors and prevents them from getting a signal from opioid or alcohol use
- Reduces cravings
- Lessens the sleepy effects of opioids
- Lessens the “high” effects of opioids and alcohol
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), states naltrexone is available as:
- Extended-release injectables
- Pills
Buprenorphine
Approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2002 as a treatment for opioid addiction, buprenorphine is the most recent advance in opioid MAT.
Buprenorphine:
- Reduces the potential for misuse
- Reduces risk in situations of overdose
- Reduces withdrawal and cravings
SAMHSA states methadone is available as:
- Buccal films
- Films
- Sublingual tablets
- Transmucosal products
Naloxone
Naloxone is most commonly used along with buprenorphine as a well-rounded medication. It may also be dispensed in a doctor’s office. It is most frequently prescribed to those who pose an overdose risk or those using MAT.
Naloxone:
- Ceases overdose
- Connects brain receptors and stops them from getting a signal from opioids
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration states naloxone is available as:
- Intramuscular injections (into the muscle)
- Intravenous injections (into the vein)
- Subcutaneous injections (under the skin)
- Intranasal sprays
If you are interested in pursuing MAT, you should call Oxycodone.org and start the conversation that will lead to recovery. Contact us by calling 888-810-2643.
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