Medication Assisted Treatment in Nashville

For people who are dealing with a serious addiction to opioids or alcohol, finding a treatment that works to reduce their cravings and keep them sober for the long run can feel like an impossible task. For these people, there is an effective and sustainable treatment option: medication assisted treatment, or MAT. At Arbor Wellness in Nashville, our Medication Assisted Treatment option helps individuals create a sense of accountability and sustainability in recovery.

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What Is Medication Assisted Treatment?

Medication assisted treatment relies on a combination of behavioral therapy, medication, and counseling to help people overcome an addiction to opioids or alcohol. The main goal of MAT is to address addiction in a holistic way, not just helping people deal with substance cravings but also healing the physical, mental, and emotional toll that it has taken on them.

Clients who are interested in medication assisted treatment in Nashville should expect to begin this treatment with a full evaluation, which gives them the ability to discuss all of their concerns and symptoms. From there, your provider will work with you to decide which medications will best treat your addiction symptoms, as well as what counseling and/or behavioral therapies will best treat the mental and emotional effects. You may also have alternative therapies recommended, such as nutritional therapy or exercise therapy, to address any negative physical side effects of your addiction.

Medication Assisted Treatment Statistics

MAT is not a new treatment, and there are dozens if not hundreds of studies that show it to be a safe and effective way to help people who are seriously addicted to opioids or alcohol. It has been shown to:

Increase successful completion of an addiction treatment program
Decrease substance abuse, as well as criminal activities associated with obtaining drugs.
Decrease the rate of deaths due to overdose, violence, and substance-related accidents.
Improve client’s chances of getting and keeping a job
Decrease the risk of contracting blood-borne disease like HIV and hepatitis C

Medication Assisted Treatment Medications

One of the things that makes MAT unique is that it does not include just one type of medication. Instead, there are a few different medications frequently utilized, each of which has its own pros and cons. Your provider will work with you to decide which medication will be the best for you to utilize for medication assisted treatment in Nashville. Some of the options you may see will include:

MAT For Alcohol Addiction:

Acomprosate: reduces alcohol cravings, but cannot be taken until you have gone at least five days without drinking. It is very effective as a long-term solution for alcohol addiction, but is not effective if you use illicit drugs or continue to drink large amounts of alcohol.
Disulfiram: causes unpleasant side effects if you drink alcohol while taking it. This includes headaches, nausea, vomiting, and more. This medication can only be taken after a client has successfully detoxed from alcohol
Naltrexone: blocks the euphoric effects of alcohol, so if you do drink, you will not get “drunk.” It is a great option for long-term maintenance to avoid relapse.

MAT For Opioid Addiction:

Buprenorphine: reduces opioid cravings, and can be taken as a pill, injection, or patch.
Methadone: reduces both opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms. This medication can also block the euphoric effects of opioids, preventing users from getting “high” if they relapse.
Naltrexone: blocks the euphoric effects of opioids. Best used after completing detox/addiction treatment in order to prevent relapse.

Medication Management

If you are currently on any medications, and are worried that the medications used in MAT may interact with them, we are here to help. Our medication management program means that you don’t have to worry about drug interactions. Our team first assesses your current medications against the ones used in MAT to ensure that it is safe for you to take them. We also monitor any side effects and the effectiveness of your MAT medications, and will make any necessary adjustments to ensure that you are getting relief from your symptoms while minimizing intense side effects.

Benefits Of Medication Assisted Treatment

One of the most important questions to ask when you are seeking help for your addiction is whether or not the treatment method is effective. When it comes to medication assisted treatment in Nashville, we are happy to report that there are many different benefits to utilizing this option.

It is much safer than trying to quit on your own.

Opioid and alcohol addictions can become so severe that, if you stop using, you can experience life-threatening side effects. Utilizing MAT significantly reduces this risk, keeping you safer while you focus on getting better.

It reduces the risk of relapse.

Addiction is a chronic disease, which is what causes so many people to relapse within the first few months of trying to quit. Because MAT helps reduce cravings, it also helps reduce the risk of relapse. Over time, this makes staying clean easier and less of a daily struggle.

It supports long-term recovery.

Substance abuse changes the way that your brain works, making it difficult for your brain to regulate itself without having substances in your system. Utilizing MAT means that your brain will relearn how to function without drugs or alcohol, supporting a long-term recovery from addiction.

Medication Assisted Treatment In Nashville

The science behind MAT supports it as an extremely effective way to help treat and support those with an opioid or alcohol addiction. The medications most commonly offered in MAT can be used long-term, which significantly increases a person’s chances of staying clean and avoiding relapse.

If you are interested in medication assisted treatment in Nashville, contact Arbor Wellness today. Our team has years of experience in administering MAT, and can provide you with all of the information that you need to decide if this treatment is right for you. Get in touch today, and let us help you to reclaim control of your life.

Don’t hesitate to contact us immediately. In the case of a medical emergency please contact 911 or visit your local emergency department.

We Work With Most Major Insurance

Did you know most major health insurance plans with out-of-network benefits can help cover most of the costs associated with our program? Click below to find out your coverage and treatment options right now.