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At Pacific Sands Recovery, we understand that addiction is a complex medical condition and requires comprehensive treatment. That’s why we offer medication-assisted treatment (MAT) in Orange County, California to help clients begin their path to recovery. MAT combines evidence-based therapies with FDA-approved medications for treating opioid use disorder and other substance use disorders.

Our program provides personalized care with a focus on physical, psychological, social, and spiritual healing. We are dedicated to helping our clients achieve long-term sobriety through compassionate support and effective clinical treatments.

What is Medication-Assisted Treatment?

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is an effective treatment option for people suffering from substance use disorders. Especially, opioid and alcohol addiction. MAT combines prescription medications, counseling and behavioral therapy to create a comprehensive addiction treatment strategy. The main purpose of MAT is to prevent or reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings associated with drug and alcohol dependence.

MAT has been shown to be highly effective in helping individuals reduce or stop their drug or alcohol use. And is considered by many experts to be the gold standard of care for treating opioid addiction and other forms of substance use disorder. Uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms are a common barrier that significantly impedes progress during recovery. By addressing these physical and psychological challenges, MAT increases the chances of a safe and successful outcome.

FDA-approved medications like buprenorphine, naltrexone, and methadone help individuals control cravings for substances while they participate in individual and group therapy sessions designed to address underlying issues of addiction. Additionally, MAT reduces the risk of relapse while clients also receive support through therapy sessions led by experienced professionals who provide guidance and understanding during recovery.

Overall, medication-assisted treatment in Orange County at Pacific Sands Recovery provides individuals with the tools they need to achieve long-term sobriety. Our MAT program offers a safe way for clients to detox from substances while avoiding potentially dangerous withdrawal symptoms associated with ending substance use. Furthermore, MAT keeps people engaged in the recovery process by providing a compassionate support system that encourages ongoing success and continued recovery efforts.

Opioid Medication-Assisted Treatment in Orange County, CA

Pacific Sands utilizes the MAT program for opioid addiction to help prevent uncomfortable and potentially dangerous withdrawal symptoms during detoxification. During detox, clients stop using all illegal drugs and alcohol in order for the body to return to a normal state. In addition, they are monitored 24/7 by our medical professionals to address any complications of withdrawal should they arise.

Then, after completing our detox program, clients can enter residential addiction treatment program. Here, they learn new coping skills, relaxation techniques, relapse triggers, and how to live without substances. Also, clients work with professional therapists to identify and manage any co-occurring mental health disorders.

Once clients complete the residential phase, they begin outpatient treatment. Outpatient treatment typically lasts 6 months to a year, though it varies depending on the individual’s progress. During this time, clients continue to attend weekly meetings with their therapist. They may also participate in activities like 12-Step groups, educational classes, and recreational activities.

Some clients will continue ongoing maintenance treatments to prevent relapse and reduce the risk of overdose. FDA-approved medications for the treatment of opioid addiction are methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone. These medications work in different ways.

Methadone

Acts as a long-acting opioid agonist, selectively activating and regulating opioid receptors in the brain. This reduces withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Methadone is generally administered daily at specialized treatment centers.

Buprenorphine

Functions as a partial opioid agonist, activating opioid receptors to a lesser extent than full opioids. It reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms while also lowering the risk of abuse and overdose. Buprenorphine comes in various forms, including sublingual tablets, films, and implants.

Naltrexone

Serves as an opioid antagonist that blocks the action of opioids on their receptors without inducing opioid-like effects. Administered in tablet form or as a long-acting injection. It helps prevent relapse by reducing the pleasurable effects of opioids.

 

To summarize, MAT for opioid addiction has proven to be clinically effective in reducing opioid use and symptoms related to opioid use disorder. It’s also been proven effective in preventing relapse, decreasing overdose deaths and increasing retention in treatment. It also improves birth outcomes among pregnant women living with opioid use disorder.

MAT is shown most effective  when combined with counseling, therapy, and other behavioral interventions. The integration of medications with psychosocial support results in a comprehensive approach to addressing the complex nature of addiction. MAT has demonstrated significant benefits and enhancing the overall quality of life for individuals undergoing treatment.

Orange County MAT Program for Alcohol

MAT for alcohol use disorder works by addressing the physical, psychological, and behavioral symptoms of alcohol addiction. The first step is a full clinical assessment. This ensures the medical professional understands the scope of the individual’s needs. Then they can develop a customized plan to achieve recovery.

After the assessment, the provider recommends a prescription medication. Additionally, there are certain therapeutic approaches that are appropriate to the patient’s needs. Prescription medications that have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for use in MAT programs for alcohol use disorder include:

Acamprosate

Acamprosate is marketed under the brand name Campral. This medication is administered orally in tablet form. People who are prescribed Acamprosate typically take this medication 3 times per day.

Disulfiram

Disulfiram is marketed under the trade name Antabuse. Disulfiram in an MAT program for alcohol use disorder makes drinking alcohol an unpleasant experience. This happens by disrupting the body’s ability to metabolize alcohol. This results in distressing symptoms like nausea, headache, vomiting, and elevated heart rate. Disulfiram is taken orally, usually once per day.

Naltrexone

Naltrexone is sold under the brand names Vivitrol and Revia. When a person takes naltrexone, they do not experience the pleasurable effects of alcohol. This is because the medication blocks alcohol’s ability to trigger the release of endorphins. Vivitrol is an extended-release medication that is delivered via monthly injection. Revia is a tablet that is usually taken on a daily basis.

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Visit the admissions page at Pacific Sands Recovery today to learn more about medication-assisted treatment.

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Does Orange County Medication-Assisted Treatment Work?

Medication-assisted treatment has proven to be exceptionally conducive to long-term addiction recovery. It is based on extensive medical research and is supported by positive results. In fact, the American Medical Association backs this treatment fully, commemorating doctors on their use of medication in the treatment of drug and alcohol addiction. 

Adding to the credibility of medication assisted treatment is the fact that those in charge of administering these medications must be thoroughly qualified. For example, a physician must be specially trained and certified in order to administer medications such as buprenorphine. Further, a study conducted in 2015 even shows that the long-term drug abstinence rate is over 60% in those who received MAT for opioid dependence. Combined with other evidence-based treatments, this rate increase highlights MATs role in preventing relapse and encouraging sobriety.

What are the Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment Programs?

There is a reason why we offer medication-assisted treatment programs in Orange County, California. MAT has many different benefits for our clients, the first being:

Effectiveness of MAT

The biggest benefit of MAT is just how effective it is at helping people overcome an addiction to opioids or alcohol. Research has shown MAT is much more effective than trying just medication or therapy alone. This is because of its focus on treating every aspect of a person’s addiction in a holistic way, rather than just focusing on a single area.

Affordable

Secondly, for many people, the cost of addiction treatment is what keeps them from trying to get help. But with recent changes in health insurance regulations, many plans now cover at least part of the cost of MAT programs, making them more affordable than other addiction treatment options that aren’t covered.

Freedom and Flexibility

After completing their stay at our facility, it doesn’t mean stopping treatment. A person can still continue to use MAT medications to encourage their recovery for as long as they need to. Additionally, they don’t have to commit to an indefinite stay at our facility. This means that a person can get back to their normal everyday life with less fear of relapse, and have the necessary support.

Enhance Other Forms of Treatment

If a person’s addiction is very severe, for instance, MAT can be integrated into other, more intensive addiction treatment programs. This can include intensive inpatient rehab programs. It can also be used as a part of more holistic recovery programs by adding in alternative therapies such as massage in order to help them get the best of both worlds when it comes to recovery.

Return to Normal Life

Many wonder what happens in rehab and what happens after getting sober. One of the more challenging aspects of addiction recovery is transitioning back to one’s normal home life after treatment. Many people fear losing the support of their addiction treatment program. Despite this, with an MAT program, a person can be confident in knowing their treatment is still available as long as they need it.

Some Things to Know About MAT

A common misconception associated with MAT is that it is simply switching out 1 drug for another. This is not true. A medication-assisted treatment program in Orange County, California relieves the withdrawal symptoms and psychological cravings that many experience while in recovery.

This provides stability for the patient, so that they can do the necessary clinical work needed to achieve long-term recovery. That being said, MAT is not a “silver bullet” approach to addiction recovery. An MAT program can fail if the patient is unwilling or unable to delve into their own emotions and motivations as they relate to substance abuse.

Some medications that are prescribed for substance use disorder or alcohol use disorder are prone to abuse, with people sometimes combining medications with illicit substances or other prescription drugs. For example, Methadone is often combined with benzodiazepines to create a dangerous, sometimes fatal, drug cocktail.

Begin Our Medication Assisted Treatment Program in Orange County, CA

When administered correctly, MAT is a clinically proven treatment method. MAT helps clients best when combined with other treatment methods such as therapy and 12-Step programs. If you are looking for a medication-assisted treatment program in Orange County, California, our care coordinators will work with you to define your individual needs. You can use GEHA, Aetna and Tricare insurance if you qualify. They will also evaluate whether or not MAT is the right treatment method for you.

Contact Pacific Sands today to learn more about this program and get started on the path to lasting recovery.