MAT Program in Knoxville, TN

Starting recovery can feel overwhelming, whether it’s for you or a loved one. One of the biggest concerns is managing cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Our MAT program in Knoxville, TN is here to help. Through medication-assisted treatment, we make detox more comfortable and reduce cravings, allowing you to focus on healing. At Tennessee Valley Recovery, we guide you through each step of the process, ensuring a safer and more supported recovery journey.

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 a “whole patient” approach to addiction treatment, as it addresses both the mental and physical effects that substance abuse has on people.

Typically, 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 highly addictive nature. If someone is concerned they may have an addiction, they can take our assessment to see if our Knoxville MAT program is right for them.

How Does Knoxville Medication-Assisted Treatment Work?

Our team works closely with clients during the MAT program in Knoxville, TN to assess their needs. Our physician will determine which FDA-approved medications are appropriate for a patient during opioid and alcohol addiction treatment.

In addition, these medications help normalize brain chemistry by reducing withdrawal symptoms and helping to control physical cravings. During medication-assisted treatment in Knoxville, our clients receive behavioral therapy alongside MAT to build and strengthen their coping skills.

Because we recognize that addiction affects both the body and mind, we know that recovery starts with a systematic approach. Through our Knoxville MAT services, we help our clients tackle physical symptoms while developing coping tools for a lasting recovery.

Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Addiction

The three medications approved for use in opioid MAT programs—methadone, naltrexone, and buprenorphine—are key tools in helping individuals recover from opioid addiction, including substances like fentanyl and heroin. These medications work by interacting with the same areas of the brain affected by opioids, essentially “tricking” the brain into believing it’s still receiving the drug.

This process makes it much easier to manage cravings and maintain sobriety. In our MAT program in Knoxville, TN, we carefully utilize these medications to support individuals on their path to overcoming opioid use disorders.

• Methadone: Helps reduce opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms, while also blocking the ability to get high if opioids are used. It comes in liquid, powder, or pill form and is typically taken daily for at least 12 months, though some may need it longer to stay opioid-free.
• Naltrexone: Blocks the euphoric effects of opioids, preventing users from getting high. You can take it daily as a pill or as a monthly extended-release injection, typically for at least 12 weeks.
• Buprenorphine: Mimics low-dose opioid effects, reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms. The duration of use depends on individual needs and can be a long-term treatment option.

Medication-Assisted Treatment for Alcohol Addiction

For individuals struggling with severe alcohol addiction, doctors often use medications like acamprosate, naltrexone, and disulfiram. Each of these medications works in different ways, allowing you to choose the one that best fits your unique needs. This personalized approach ensures a better path to recovery tailored to your situation.

• Acamprosate: This helps prevent alcohol cravings and supports long-term sobriety, but it requires at least five days of abstinence before starting. You take it in pill form, with the duration of use guided by your doctor. It won’t be effective if you continue using alcohol or other substances.
• Naltrexone: Helps prevent the euphoric effects of alcohol, reducing the urge to drink by removing the “reward” feeling. Most people take it for at least 12 weeks to support sobriety.
• Disulfiram: causes unpleasant physical reactions, such as nausea and vomiting, when alcohol is consumed, which helps prevent relapse. It doesn’t reduce cravings but works by discouraging drinking through its adverse effects. Detox is required before starting this medication. Typically administered in pill form, this drug is for at least three months, with most people using it for twelve months or more.

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Visit the admissions page at Tennessee Valley Recovery today to learn more about our treatment plans.

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Therapies in Our MAT Program in Knoxville, TN

In addition to medication, therapy plays a crucial role in supporting a successful recovery. It offers clients the opportunity to explore the root causes of their addiction, uncovering the habits and behaviors that may have led to substance use. By addressing these factors, therapy also helps to manage any underlying mental health issues, which are often significant contributors to relapse.

Moreover, therapy in our Knoxville MAT clinic equips individuals with tools to avoid triggers, build healthy coping strategies, and gain deeper self-awareness. We offer various therapeutic approaches, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, contingency management, group therapy, family therapy, and more, tailored to meet your unique needs.

Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment in Knoxville

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) offers a comprehensive approach to addiction care, addressing both the physical and psychological aspects of opioid and alcohol addiction. Here are some key benefits of our Knoxville MAT program:

• Effectiveness: Our MAT program is highly effective because it treats every aspect of addiction. Research shows that combining medication with therapy provides better outcomes than either approach alone.
• Affordability: With recent changes in health insurance coverage, many plans now cover part or all of MAT, making it more affordable than other addiction treatments.
• Ongoing support: Even after you complete inpatient care, MAT actively supports your recovery. You can continue using MAT medications for as long as needed, staying free from the constraints of a facility while regaining confidence in your daily life.
• Integration with other programs: For severe addictions, you can combine MAT with other intensive treatments, including holistic rehab programs that incorporate alternative therapies for a well-rounded recovery.
• Easier transition home: Returning to regular life after treatment can be challenging, but MAT helps ease the transition by offering ongoing support, making the return home a more positive experience.

How Medication-Assisted Treatment Integrates Into Other Programs

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) integrates into other programs by providing a comprehensive approach to addressing substance use disorders (SUDs). Here’s how our Knoxville medication-assisted treatment works in tandem with other initiatives and services:

Integration with Behavioral Therapy

• Complementary Approach: MAT combines medications with evidence-based behavioral therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or contingency management.
• Enhanced Outcomes: The medication stabilizes the patient physically. Thus, allowing them to engage more fully in therapy, which addresses the psychological and behavioral aspects of addiction.

Coordination with Primary Healthcare

• Holistic Care: MAT is often integrated into primary care settings to address co-occurring physical and mental health conditions.
• Chronic Disease Model: By treating alcohol and drug addiction as a chronic condition, MAT is aligned with other long-term management programs for conditions like diabetes or hypertension.

Alignment with Harm Reduction Programs

• Risk Reduction: MAT is used alongside syringe exchange programs and overdose prevention initiatives (e.g., naloxone distribution).
• Community Impact: These integrations reduce the spread of infectious diseases and lower the rates of overdose deaths.

Support Within Recovery-Oriented Systems

• Peer Support Networks: Many recovery programs, like 12-step meetings or peer counseling, are adapted to include or support individuals undergoing medication-assisted therapy in Knoxville.
• Bridging Gaps: MAT helps participants stabilize and sustain recovery while engaging in community-based support.

Synergy with Employment and Social Services

• Rehabilitation and Reintegration: Programs focusing on vocational training, housing assistance, or family reunification often incorporate MAT.
• Functional Recovery: Stable medication regimens support individuals in maintaining responsibilities and achieving long-term goals.

Key Benefits of Integration

• Comprehensive Care: Treats addiction as a multifaceted issue, addressing physical, mental, and social dimensions.
• Reduced Stigma: Normalizing MAT in various settings promotes acceptance and broader access.
• Improved Accessibility: MAT integration ensures that individuals encounter support across different touchpoints in their recovery journey.

At Tennessee Valley Recovery, combining addiction treatment programs with medication-assisted therapy in Knoxville creates a strong support network that addresses the diverse challenges faced by individuals with substance use disorders.

Experience Quality Care with Our MAT Program in Knoxville, TN

Overcoming an addiction to opioids or alcohol can be an overwhelming decision to make. However, you don’t have to do it alone. Our MAT program in Knoxville, TN offers a range of medication and therapy options that help us build a custom treatment plan that guides you to a successful recovery. Our team remains dedicated to supporting you even after you leave our Knoxville MAT clinic.

Contact us today to discuss how Knoxville MAT services help you find stability and sobriety to return to living a life you love.