Medication Assisted Treatment in Atlanta, GA
When someone struggles with alcohol use disorder (AUD) or substance use disorder (SUD), quitting can be challenging. Unfortunately, as the body builds drug tolerance, it increases the risk of accidental drug overdoses and death. However, medication-assisted treatment in Atlanta is one viable option that is helping people take control of their addiction.
What is Medication-Assisted Treatment?
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is a type of treatment for AUD and SUD that combines medications with behavioral counseling and other support services. The types of medications used will vary based on the substance that was being used.
While MAT is primarily associated with treating AUD and opioid use disorders, other drugs can be beneficial to help reduce more intense and severe withdrawal symptoms and help with mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression. In addition, MAT helps to reduce drug cravings, decrease the risk of relapse, and improve overall life functioning.
How Does Medication-Assisted Treatment in Atlanta Work?
MAT works by blocking the effects of alcohol or drugs, like opioids, on the brain. This helps to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Additionally, this allows patients to focus on their recovery. MAT for AUD also helps reduce the desire to drink. Furthermore, some medications will make a person sick if they drink any alcohol.
Medications are prescribed in combination with counseling and other support services. This helps individuals build a strong foundation for long-term recovery. MAT also allows individuals to remain connected with treatment providers who can monitor medication use and provide additional support as needed.
How Do I Know I Need Medication-Assisted Treatment in Atlanta?
Determining if you need medication-assisted treatment in Atlanta depends on several factors and signs and symptoms of AUD and SUD, including:
- Long-term alcohol or drug use: Long-term alcohol or drug use can lead to physical and psychological dependence, which may require MAT for successful recovery.
- Withdrawal symptoms: Physical withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, sweating, shaking, insomnia, and muscle aches can indicate the need for MAT to manage these symptoms safely and effectively.
- Inability to stop: When someone is unable to stop using drugs or alcohol despite wanting to, this could be a sign that MAT is necessary.
- Relapses: If someone has been unable to maintain sobriety and is experiencing frequent relapses, MAT can help them manage their addiction more effectively.
- Developing co-occurring disorders: If someone is struggling with addiction and has developed a mental health disorder, such as depression or anxiety, MAT can help to address both issues simultaneously.
- Intense cravings for alcohol or drugs. If someone continues to experience intense cravings for alcohol or drugs after completing detox, MAT could be beneficial in managing cravings.
Medication-Assisted Treatment for Drug Addiction
Some of the different types of medications used with MAT for drug addictions not associated with opioid use disorder include:
- Topiramate: Topiramate is an anticonvulsant medication that can be used to help reduce cravings for drugs like cocaine or methamphetamine.
- Bupropion: Bupropion is an antidepressant that can be prescribed to help manage depression or anxiety associated with drug addiction, as well as nicotine dependence.
- Benzodiazepines: Benzodiazepines may be prescribed to help address anxiety associated with drug addiction.
Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Addiction
The most common drugs used with medication-assisted treatment in Atlanta for opioid addiction include:
- Methadone: Methadone is an opioid agonist medication used to help manage opioid addiction and cravings. It works by blocking the effects of opioids on the brain, reducing cravings, and preventing relapse.
- Buprenorphine: Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist that reduces drug cravings while also managing withdrawal symptoms and helping to prevent relapse.
- Naltrexone: Naltrexone blocks opioid receptors in the brain, reducing cravings for opioids and helping to prevent relapse.
- Lofexidine: Lofexidine is an anti-hypertensive medication used to reduce physical symptoms of opioid withdrawal, such as sweating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle aches, and agitation.
In addition, anti-anxiety and anti-depressive medications can be prescribed to help treat co-occurring conditions.
Medication-Assisted Treatment for Alcohol Addiction
Medications commonly used when treating alcohol addiction can include:
- Acamprosate: Acamprosate is an anti-craving medication used to reduce alcohol cravings and withdrawal symptoms, helping to maintain sobriety.
- Disulfiram: Disulfiram prevents the body from breaking down alcohol, causing unpleasant side effects if someone consumes alcohol while taking it.
- Naltrexone: Naltrexone blocks opioid receptors in the brain, reducing cravings for alcohol and helping prevent relapse.
- Topiramate: Topiramate is an anticonvulsant medication that can be used to help reduce cravings for alcohol.
- Bupropion: Bupropion is an antidepressant that can be prescribed to help manage depression or anxiety associated with addiction to alcohol.
Benefits of MAT
The benefits of MAT include the following:
- Reduced cravings for drugs or alcohol: Medication-assisted treatment in Atlanta can help reduce cravings and make it easier to resist temptation.
- Improved physical health: MAT can improve overall physical health and well-being by reducing substance use.
- Reduced risk of relapse: MAT helps to prevent relapse by managing withdrawal symptoms and reducing cravings for substances.
- Improved mental health: MAT can help manage co-occurring disorders such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other mental health disorders, which can increase the chances of successful recovery from addiction.
- Increased social functioning: Through counseling, support groups, and other services offered with MAT, individuals can build a strong foundation for long-term recovery as well as develop healthier relationships with others in their lives.
Begin Medication-Assisted Treatment in Atlanta for Addiction
When you want help with your addiction, Inner Voyage Recovery near Atlanta provides a safe, secure, and caring environment to take your initial recovery steps. In addition, we offer personalized treatment programs that can include using MAT when it is beneficial for your detox and recovery. To start your addiction treatment with MAT, contact us today.
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