“It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.” – Confucius
In 2022, 7,000 Californians died from opioid-related overdoses. There are many reasons why someone might experience an opioid-related overdose. Still, one of them is a return to use after attending treatment. This can be prevented through medication-assisted treatment (MAT).
At Pacific Sands, we aim to answer any questions you might have about your recovery journey. Today, we will discuss one question we often get: “Is medication-assisted treatment a viable option for busy professionals?”
The Impact Substance Use Has on Professionals
Substance use disorders impact several areas of a person’s life, including their career. Professionals with substance use disorders jeopardize their jobs if they continue to take them. Opioids significantly impact a person’s ability to think, the emotions they feel, and the behaviors they act on. Over time, they may find that their workplace performance has deteriorated, they are no longer focused on their careers, and they pose a risk to the safety of their coworkers.
A professional with a substance use disorder often has changes in their mood, which impact how they get along with their coworkers, employees, or employers. They might become irritable or aggressive towards those groups of people.
A common sign of a substance use disorder is that the person is only focused on their substance. Things like hobbies, family, and one’s career become lower on the list of priorities that person has. This leads to tardiness or absence from work and missing important deadlines or meetings. If before an opioid use disorder, they were one of the top-performing professionals in the company, they might now be one of the lowest-performing professionals. This is because substances lower productivity, innovation, and problem-solving skills. If they have a goal to continue to advance in their career, these factors prevent that from happening.
For those who wish to recover, it can be even more challenging. If someone has already missed many days at work, attending treatment might mean they will miss more. However, suppose they try to stop taking certain substances on their own. In that case, they might be faced with highly uncomfortable or potentially dangerous withdrawal symptoms. It often feels like a no-win situation, and they might return to use, which could lead to an overdose. Overdoses are medical emergencies that require 911 to be called immediately to save the person’s life.
A Viable Option: Medication-Assisted Treatment and Professionals
So, are there any viable solutions that benefit the lives of professionals? For those with opioid use disorders, medication-assisted treatment (MAT) can be a valuable tool that makes recovery easier. It is a combination of medications, typically Suboxone, and therapy treatments. These therapies include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT). MAT is not a part of detox, but it helps people manage long-term cravings and withdrawal symptoms. It also lowers the risk of a return to use.
Suboxone has a “ceiling effect.” This means that it is a generally safe medication to take and has a low risk of someone experiencing an overdose. People who take this medication as a part of a medication-assisted treatment program are also required to complete therapy sessions as well. These therapy sessions help people learn skills and techniques that change their thoughts and emotions from harmful to healthy.
When combined with therapy, MAT is effective and provides a comprehensive approach to a professional’s recovery journey. It enables them to learn the tools they need without the risk of a return to use due to lingering cravings and withdrawal symptoms. After completing MAT, many individuals experience significant benefits and an overall quality of life. These, in turn, allow them to have successful careers as they leave opioids behind.
3 Medication-Assisted Treatment Benefits for Professionals
For professionals with opioid use disorders, they reap many potential benefits from participating in a medication-assisted treatment program. Below, we discuss 3 of them:
1. Reducing the potential for a return to use and overdose – A study showed that people with an opioid use disorder can have a return to use risk of up to 91%. If someone has already gone through treatment and then returns to use, they put themselves at a high risk of an overdose. This is because when taking opioids consistently over a long period, the body builds up a tolerance. However, when they stop taking the substance, they begin to lose that tolerance. Most people who return to use will take the same dosage that they took before, but since their body is no longer tolerant of that amount, it can lead to an overdose.
This is where MAT is useful. It reduces the long-term cravings that people with opioid use disorders have, which decreases the chances they will feel the intense urge to return to the substance. Thus, participating in MAT results in a safer and more manageable recovery journey.
2. Curbing intense, long-term opioid withdrawal symptoms – Speaking of cravings, a significant component of MAT is that it reduces the intense opioid withdrawal symptoms that continue to linger beyond detox. These withdrawal symptoms often lead to someone returning to use or being unable to focus on their recovery. Through MAT, people can freely regain control over their lives when these symptoms are lessened.
3. Increase participation in therapy treatment – People are more successful in their recovery goals when they are fully active in their therapy treatment. Because MAT medications like Suboxone effectively reduce long-term cravings, it enables people to turn their attention towards recovery instead of their cravings for opioids. Through therapy treatments, they will gain skills and tools that may eventually allow them to successfully wean off the Suboxone and maintain their recovery.
4 Ways to Balance Substance Use Treatment and Your Professional Career
Your professional life is busy, and you might find yourself wondering how to balance the career of your dreams with recovering from an opioid use disorder. Initially, you will need to focus more on your recovery journey. During the early stages of recovery, you will be exposed to a blackout period, where you cannot use electronic devices. However, this doesn’t last forever. Eventually, your career and treatment will be allowed to exist simultaneously, and learning to balance both is essential. Here are some tips that will make it easier.
- Set boundaries and learn to say no. Your recovery should be a priority, which might mean setting clear boundaries and learning to say no. Learning how not to lean too much into your career while in recovery will make things easier to manage. This might look like not picking up an extra shift that might conflict with an appointment or support group meeting.
- Communicate with your employers. You don’t have to tell them every detail, but giving them a heads up on where you are in your journey is still vital to maintaining a healthy recovery and work environment. There is a good chance that attending treatment might mean you have to leave work earlier or miss hours during the day. Being honest with them and understanding what your company’s policies are will make transitions between your professional career and substance use disorder treatment run smoothly.
- Seek support. Nobody should undergo substance use disorder recovery on their own. Having a support system in your workplace gives you accountability and people who will encourage you to continue your journey. It also provides access to people who know what you are going through and can advocate for you.
- Practice self-care, and don’t be afraid to take breaks. As mentioned throughout, balancing a career and recovery is hard work. Don’t be afraid to take breaks throughout your day and practice self-care such as exercise, maintaining sleep and eating schedules, and participating in healthy hobbies to lower these stress levels. Stress can make someone more likely to return to opioids as a way to cope. Getting ahead of that stress will reduce the risk.
How to Get Started With MAT
The first step to starting MAT is a clinical assessment from a medical professional. They will examine your needs and the best steps to achieve your recovery goals. The medical professional you are working with will have you begin therapy sessions promoting long-term healing. The medication prescribed by this professional is not meant to be a replacement for opioids. Instead, it is a tool that provides stability so you can focus on recovery instead of the cravings. MAT works best when you actively participate and are focused and dedicated to your recovery journey.
Medication-Assisted Treatment Is Available for Busy Professionals in Santa Ana, CA
Every person requires a different approach to recovery. For some people, they only need therapy sessions. For others, MAT is a life-saving tool that enables them to find freedom and healing from their opioid use disorder. Attending a solution-focused facility lets you discover the best approach for you.
At Pacific Sands, our primary therapist is on-site 50 hours a week. This enables them to work with each individual and determine their needs to succeed in their recovery goals. Call us at 949-426-7962 for more information.
Pacific Sands – The first step towards a new life.
