How MAT Can Benefit Those in Withdrawal

Withdrawal symptoms are often one of the biggest obstacles to quitting drugs or alcohol. For some people with severe addictions, the discomfort can be so intense that they resume substance use to find relief. Thankfully, there are addiction treatment options available to help make the process more comfortable. Medication assisted treatment, also known as MAT, involves the use of specific medications to mitigate withdrawal discomfort. Learning how MAT can benefit those in withdrawal can help you decide whether it might be a suitable option for you or someone you love.

If you are considering MAT for drug withdrawal, look no further than BrightView. We offer medication assisted treatment as part of our range of outpatient addiction treatment programs. All you need to do is give us a call at 888.501.9865 or walk into one of our conveniently located treatment centers to get started today.

How Medication Assisted Treatment Can Help Withdrawal

Medication assisted treatment is an evidence-based approach to treating addiction that incorporates behavioral therapies with medications. The medications prescribed as part of an MAT program are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to relieve withdrawal symptoms, decrease cravings, and support long-term recovery. 

Here is a breakdown of how MAT helps with withdrawal:

Reduction in Cravings

The medications used in MAT are designed to interact with brain receptors similarly to opioid drugs but to a lesser degree. This reduces cravings for opioids, making it easier for you to stay on track with your recovery.

Withdrawal Symptom Management

Withdrawal symptoms occur when you are physically or psychologically dependent on a substance, and you abruptly stop using it. By providing a strategic dose of an addiction treatment medication, your MAT provider can help you gradually wean off opioids. This tapering strategy allows your body and brain to slowly adjust to smaller doses of opioids, avoiding the harsh withdrawal symptoms associated with quitting cold turkey.

Lowered Risk of Relapse

Another example of how medication assisted treatment can help withdrawal—and perhaps one of the most important—is by lowering the chances of experiencing a relapse. Most people who relapse do so because they cannot manage the powerful cravings for the drug or their withdrawal symptoms are overwhelming.

Without the support of addiction treatment professionals and medication to ease discomfort, going back to using drugs might seem like the only option. But when you enroll in an MAT program, you will not have to contend with these obstacles—cravings and withdrawal symptoms will be minimal to nonexistent, and you can focus on getting better.

MAT for Drug Withdrawal: How It Works

Knowing how MAT can benefit those in withdrawal may have piqued your interest in getting help, especially if you have struggled to quit opioids in the past. But how does it work? Different types of drugs used in MAT serve different purposes. Here are a few examples:

• Buprenorphine – As a partial opioid agonist, this medication partially binds to opioid receptors to induce mild euphoria, which relieves cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
• Naltrexone – As an opioid antagonist, naltrexone blocks the euphoric effects of opioids, which minimizes the rewarding effects and lowers the motivation to use opioids.
• Methadone – This drug is a full opioid agonist, meaning it provides similar effects to taking other opioids. However, this also makes it more addictive than other medications used for MAT.

To decide if MAT may be a viable treatment option for you, schedule an intake assessment where you can share your opioid use history and receive a medical and psychological evaluation.

Call BrightView to Receive MAT for Drug Withdrawal

Now that you know how MAT helps withdrawal and what treatment may entail, it is time to take the next step toward recovery. Call BrightView at 888.501.9865 or complete our online form to start your journey to sobriety today.