Recovery Resources
Recovery Resources
MAT (Medication Assisted Treatment)
Medication assisted treatment aka MAT are medications that are used for the LONG-TERM treatment of substance use disorders. The use of medications in combination with different forms of counseling therapy has been clinically shown to help people sustain their recovery. There isn’t a one-size fits all approach and each MAT medication is different and is based on a person’s preference, drug use history, prior treatment attempts and other factors.
Obviously, the goal of addiction treatment is full and sustainable recovery. MAT has been shown to decrease overdose, increase treatment retention, decrease criminal activity, decrease risk of contracting Hepatitis C and HIV and improve outcomes for pregnant women and their families.
See More Here:
Read More here:
at SAMHSA- Medications for Substance Use Disorder
Types of Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)
Methadone
Used generally for long- term treatment of opiate use disorder and for pain in some cases. Methadone for opiate use disorder is not available by a prescription and can only be administered under strict supervision at a methadone treatment program. Methadone can also be used for detox from other opiates including heroin. Check the resources page to find methadone clinics near you.
Buprenorphine aka Suboxone
Buprenorphine and Suboxone are two different medications, but their names are usually used interchangeably. Buprenorphine can be used for long-term or short-term use and generally has a maximum dosage of 16mg per day, but may go as high as 32mg per day. Buprenorphine is available in many different forms including films, disintegrating tablets and injectables. Buprenorphine IS NOT a medication to swallow- it does not get absorbed appropriately when it is swallowed and loses some of its effectiveness.
Types of Buprenorphine:
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Buprenorphine alone is also known as Subutex. Subutex may be used for pregnant women with opiate use disorder and has been shown to reduce neonatal withdrawal symptoms. Outside of pregnancy Subutex is not generally used due to its risk of diversion or improper use.
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Buprenorphine & Naloxone combined is also known as the brand names Suboxone or Zubsolv. These medications combine two medications: buprenorphine and naloxone. Naloxone is the same as Narcan- the medication used to reverse opiate overdose. Naloxone is added to the buprenorphine to prevent people from injecting it. If the medication is injected, it will cause withdrawal symptoms. You take the medication by placing it under your tongue and waiting for it to dissolve. It comes in several different forms including tablets & films/strips. No matter the form, the medication is always dissolved under the tongue, also known as sublingually.
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Other forms include Probuphine (buprenorphine) Implant (discontinued as of 10/2020)
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Sublocade
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Sublocade is long-acting injectable form of extended -release buprenorphine. Sublocade is injected into the abdomen once monthly. When injected the medication forms a firm gel or “depot” that can be felt under the skin and dissolves slowly over the next 28-30 days. Sublocade must be administered by a health care professional.
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Injection sites should be rotated monthly. Here is some helpful information:
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Vivitrol
Vivitrol is just naltrexone, it does not contain any buprenorphine or other substance. Vivitrol acts on the opiate receptors by blocking them to prevent opiates from entering the receptor site. When someone on Vivitrol attempts to use drugs they theoretically will not become high because of this blockage. In some cases people may attempt to overcome the blocking effects by taking large amounts of opiates- this is extremely dangerous as the risk of overdose is high, especially in cases where someone has not used in a long time due to treatment, jail, etc.
In addition to helping people addicted to opiates, it is also used for those with alcohol use disorder to help with cravings.
Vivitrol website can be found here
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