Medication-Assisted Treatment In Knoxville, TN

Whether rehab is for you or a loved one, taking the first step on the road to recovery can be daunting. It may be very difficult to think of leaving your old way of life behind. You likely have many questions and concerns. One concern is how to cope with cravings and the uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms caused by the cessation of drugs or alcohol. Our medication-assisted treatment in Knoxville, Tennessee, can ease your concerns. Medical detox can lessen cravings and make the initial stages of recovery more comfortable.

Continuing with medication-assisted treatment after detox can help you focus on other aspects of recovery and help prevent relapse. At Tennessee Valley Recovery, we are committed to getting you through the entire process safely and successfully.

What is Medication-Assisted Treatment?

Medication-assisted treatment, also called MAT, is a type of addiction treatment program that combines both medication and behavioral therapy to help people find more complete healing from their addiction. It is considered a “whole patient” approach to addiction treatment, as it addresses both the mental and physical effects that substance abuse has on people.

This approach is most often utilized for people with either an alcohol or opioid addiction, as both of these substances have high rates of relapse due to their extremely addictive nature. If someone is concerned they may have an addiction, they can take our addiction assessment to see if they would need MAT. Tennessee Valley Recovery offers medication-assisted treatment to treat opioid and alcohol addiction in Knoxville, Tennessee.

medication pill bottles for MAT program in Knoxville

How Does Medication-Assisted Treatment Work?

During medication-assisted treatment in Knoxville, our team works closely with clients to assess their needs. Our physician will determine which FDA-approved medications are appropriate for a patient during opioid and alcohol addiction treatment. These medications help normalize brain chemistry by reducing withdrawal symptoms and helping to control physical cravings. We provide MAT under medical supervision and in combination with therapy.

Therefore, our clients receive behavioral therapy alongside medication-assisted treatment to build and strengthen their coping skills. Since we recognize that addiction is a disorder that affects people both physically and mentally, we know that recovery starts with a methodical approach. During our MAT program in Knoxville, we help our clients tackle physical symptoms while developing coping tools for a lasting recovery.

client gets medications for addiction treatment Knoxville

Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Addiction

The three medications currently approved for use in opioid MAT programs are methadone, naltrexone, and buprenorphine. These medications all work to help people addicted to opioids because they interact with the same area of the brain that the drugs do. This tricks your brain into thinking that you are still using opioids, which makes it significantly easier to stay clean and avoid future drug use.

Each of these medications has slightly different effects on users, giving clients different options to suit their treatment needs.

Methadone

Methadone works to reduce cravings for opioids and withdrawal symptoms and also prevents users from getting high if they do use opioids. Methadone is available in liquid, powder, and pill form and is taken daily. The medication is generally taken for at least twelve months, with some individuals requiring longer use in order to maintain opioid-free.

Naltrexone

Naltrexone blocks the euphoric and sedative effects that opioids provide, which prevents the user from getting high if they do use opioids. It can be taken daily in pill form or as an extended-release injectable administered monthly. Naltrexone is typically used for at least a twelve-week period.

Buprenorphine

This medication produces an effect similar to low-dosage uses of opioids, causing the body to feel as if it has used them. This helps reduce and eliminate withdrawal symptoms and cravings for actual opioids. The amount of time a person uses buprenorphine depends on their specific needs, and the length of treatment may be long-term.

Medication-Assisted Treatment for Alcohol Addiction

For those dealing with severe alcohol addiction, acamprosate, naltrexone, and disulfiram are the most commonly used medications in alcohol MAT. Much like with opioid MAT medications, alcohol MAT medications each have slightly different effects on users, giving you the option to choose one that best suits your needs.

Acamprosate

Before someone can take this medication, they must have abstained from drinking for at least five days. Taken in pill form, Acamprosate works to prevent cravings and support long-term sobriety. However, it does not work if someone continues to drink heavily while using it, or is currently abusing prescription medications. How long a person needs to take this medication will be determined by their doctor.

Naltrexone

Naltrexone helps to prevent users from getting drunk if they do drink. This helps users to stay sober by taking away the “reward” response they used to get from drinking. Most people take this medication for at least twelve weeks.

Disulfiram

This medication requires users to be totally detoxed from alcohol before they can take it. It does not help reduce cravings for alcohol. However, it does help prevent relapse by making users have a negative physical reaction if they consume even a small amount of alcohol. This reaction can include nausea, sweating, vomiting, flushing, headache, chest pains, and difficulty breathing.

Administered in pill form, this drug is taken for at least three months, with most people using it for twelve months or more.

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Therapy and Medication-Assisted Treatment

Therapy is an equally important component of a successful MAT program. This is because it allows clients to dig deeper into the cause of their addiction, identifying the habits and behaviors that may have contributed to their condition. It also helps to treat any underlying mental health issues an individual may be experiencing, which can be a major contributor to relapse.

Therapy helps people to avoid drug use triggers, develop healthy coping mechanisms, and learn more about themselves. There are a number of different types of therapy available for you to choose from, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, contingency management, group therapy, family therapy, and more.

therapy during addiction treatment in Knoxville

Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment in Knoxville, TN

Medication-assisted treatment is a whole person approach to addiction care. Because this type of treatment takes into account the physical and psychological components of addiction, MAT programs for opioid and alcohol addictions offer many benefits for those entering treatment. These include:

Effectiveness

The biggest benefit to MAT programs is just how effective they are at helping people overcome an addiction to opioids or alcohol. Research has shown that MAT is much more effective than utilizing medication or therapy alone. This is because of its focus on treating every aspect of a person’s addiction, rather than just focusing on one area.

Affordable

For many people, the fear of the cost of addiction treatment is what prevents them from getting help. But with recent changes in health insurance regulations, many plans now cover at least part of MAT programs. This makes them more affordable than some other addiction treatment options.

Freedom

After you have completed your stay at the facility, this doesn’t mean that the support MAT provides is gone. You can still continue to use MAT medications to support your recovery for as long as you need them. This comes without having to commit to an indefinite inpatient stay. This allows you to get back to your normal everyday life with less fear of relapse.

Integration Into Other Programs

If your addiction is very severe, MAT can be integrated into other, more intensive addiction treatment programs. It can also be used as a part of more holistic recovery programs. Holistic rehab programs include alternative therapies in order to help you get the best of both worlds when it comes to your recovery.

It Can Make Transitioning Home Easier

One of the more challenging aspects of addiction recovery is transitioning back to your normal home life after treatment. Many people fear losing the support of their addiction treatment program once they return to their everyday lives. With a MAT program, you can be confident in knowing that your treatment is still available to you for as long as you need it. This can help make going back home a happier, more positive event.