Medication assisted treatment in NJ combines medication, counseling, and/or behavioral therapies to treat alcohol use disorder and substance use disorders.
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) utilizes medication alongside traditional behavioral therapies to provide a collaborative approach to addiction treatment. Medication is part of the MAT treatment; the other portion is attending traditional individual and group therapy.
There are several approved medications for opioid addiction and alcohol use disorder.
Opioid dependence and alcohol use disorder can have life-threatening withdrawal symptoms. Medications help reduce cravings and decrease the intensity of withdrawal symptoms.
MAT treatment programs medications allow individuals to focus on their treatment program rather than being distracted by cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
Reduced Cravings for opioids and alcohol, diminished the potential for overdose and relapse, provide alleviation of post-acute withdrawal symptoms, supported engagement in group and individual therapy, injectable format reduces the need for daily medication injection, enhances quality of life.
Many clients benefit from the use of medication assisted treatment in conjunction with therapy and social support. All referrals for MAT at Avatar are made by trained clinicians who assess the individualized needs of each client and facilitate MAT services as indicated.
Vivitrol is used for both alcohol use disorders and opioid use disorders. Naltrexone is the active ingredient in Vivitrol, which blocks the opioid receptors in the brain. Naltrexone not only curbs cravings and reduces the urge to drink alcohol or use opioids, but it also blocks the euphoric effects of opioid drugs, like heroin, oxycodone, or fentanyl, if someone were to relapse. Even though alcohol is not considered an opioid, the euphoric effects people feel when drinking stem from the opioid receptor, which is why Naltrexone, such as Vivitrol, is effective in treating opioid use disorders.
Sublocade is only used for opioid use disorders. The active medication in a Sublocade injection is Buprenorphine. Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist. Unlike Naltrexone, Buprenorphine activates opioid receptors rather than blocking them. However, the Sublocade injection activates these receptors to a lesser capacity than when someone actively uses opioids. The partial activation doesn’t give the individual the same “high” they would receive from the consumption of heroin or fentanyl. Still, it does eliminate the intense cravings someone would experience without the assistance of medication.
Addiction and co-occurring disorders don’t have to control your life. Avatar Recovery Center is here to assist individuals in taking the necessary steps to create lasting change. Reach out to us today at (866) 891-4726 to find out more.
Avatar Recovery Center is an established outpatient treatment center in New Jersey dedicated to offering trustworthy addiction recovery, behavioral, and other special therapies for people suffering from substance abuse. As the finest outpatient therapy center, our facility incorporates holistic treatments for all of your behavioral health needs.
