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, our medication-assisted treatment Nashville option helps individuals create a sense of accountability and sustainability in recovery.

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What Is Medication-Assisted Treatment in Nashville?

Medication-assisted treatment in Nashville 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 only does it help people deal with substance cravings, but it also heals the physical, mental, and emotional toll that it takes on them. 

Clients who are interested in medication-assisted treatment should expect to begin this treatment with a full evaluation. This 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. They will be used in conjunction with behavioral therapies to help treat the mental and emotional side effects of addiction.  You may also have alternative therapies recommended. These include nutritional or exercise therapy to address any negative physical side effects of your addiction.

Medication-Assisted Treatment Statistics

MAT is not a new treatment. In fact, there are multiple studies that show it to be a safe and effective treatment. MAT helps people who are seriously addicted to opioids or alcohol. It has been shown to:

  • Increase the likelihood of successfully completing an addiction treatment program.
  • Decrease substance abuse. In addition, decrease criminal activities associated with obtaining drugs.
  • Decrease the rate of deaths due to overdose, violence, and substance-related accidents.
  • Improve a person’s chances of getting and keeping a job.
  • Decrease the risk of contracting blood-borne diseases like HIV and hepatitis C.

Is Medication-Assisted Treatment Evidence-Based?

When seeking treatment for addiction to drugs or alcohol, it’s important to make sure the facility the person chooses used evidence-based methods. Evidence-based treatment (EBT) is a term that means that a specific type of treatment has been subjected to extensive research and has been proven to have scientific evidence that it works. This helps people receive the valuable kind of care that has been proven to be safe and effective. In fact, evidence-based treatments play a vital part in general health care, psychotherapy, and the use of prescription medications. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given approval for the medications we use as part of our medication-assisted treatment in Nashville. These medications are classified as evidence-based.

Medication-Assisted Treatment Medications

One of the things that makes MAT unique is that it offers multiple medications to choose from. Your provider will work with you to decide which medication will be the best one for you to use as part of medication-assisted treatment in Nashville. Some of the options include:

MAT For Alcohol Addiction:

  • Acamprosate: Reduces alcohol cravings. Users must wait at least five days after last drinking to take it. It can be very effective as part of an approach to a long-term solution for alcohol addiction.
  • Disulfiram: Causes unpleasant side effects if you drink alcohol while taking it. This includes headaches, nausea, vomiting, and more. This medication can be taken after a person has successfully detoxed from alcohol
  • Naltrexone: Blocks the euphoric effects of alcohol. As a result, if a person does drink, they will not get “drunk”. It is a great option for long-term maintenance to avoid relapse.

MAT For Opioid Addiction:

  • Buprenorphine: Reduces opioid cravings. It 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.

Is Medication-Assisted Treatment Evidence-Based?

When seeking treatment for addiction to drugs or alcohol, it’s important to make sure the facility the person chooses used evidence-based methods. Evidence-based treatment (EBT) is a term that means that a specific type of treatment has been subjected to extensive research and has been proven to have scientific evidence that it works. This helps people receive the valuable kind of care that has been proven to be safe and effective. In fact, evidence-based treatments play a vital part in general health care, psychotherapy, and the use of prescription medications. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given approval for the medications we use as part of our medication-assisted treatment in Nashville. These medications are classified as evidence-based.

Medication Management in Nashville, TN

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 in Nashville 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. From there, we can make any necessary adjustments to ensure that you are getting relief from your symptoms while minimizing intense side effects.

Benefits Of Medication-Assisted Treatment in Nashville

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 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. Using 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 become sober. 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. MAT helps your brain relearn how to function without drugs or alcohol, supporting  long-term recovery from addiction.

Begin 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.

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