Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

Benefits of medication-assisted treatment

As with any treatment approach, understanding the medication-assisted treatment benefits alongside potential risks is crucial for individuals and families making informed decisions about care. Benefits can include:

• Effectiveness: Studies have shown MAT to significantly reduce the need for inpatient detoxification services and to increase the likelihood of maintaining sobriety
• Comprehensive care: By addressing both medical and emotional needs, MAT supports long-term recovery and helps individuals rebuild their lives
• Reduced relapse rates: Incorporating medication into treatment reduces the risk of relapse, offering individuals a more stable foundation for recovery

As with any medication, those used in MAT can have side effects, though these are typically manageable and considered less detrimental than the risks associated with continued substance use.

Types of medication-assisted treatment

Mirmont Outpatient Centers offer the following MATs to treat opioid addiction:

• Buprenorphine (Suboxone/Sublocade/Brixadi): Buprenorphine works by filling the brain’s receptors, thus reducing the urge to use. Buprenorphine doses are prescribed as a tablet or film. It is typically taken within 24-72 hours of the last addictive substance use and is managed closely by a psychiatrist for at least the first week to monitor effectiveness. At times, the injectable form of buprenorphine, called Sublocade or Brixadi, may be prescribed.
• Naltrexone/Vivitrol: Naltrexone acts by blocking opioid receptors in the brain. It’s taken in tablet form and can reduce the cravings for addictive substances. Naltrexone does not help with withdrawal symptoms and should not be taken until 10 to 14 days after last opioid use as it can potentially accelerate withdrawal. Naltrexone does not always eliminate the urge to use. Vivitrol is the extended release, injectable form of naltrexone. It is given as a muscle injection every 28 to 30 days by a nurse in the office at our Mirmont Outpatient Centers.
• We do not prescribe methadone.

Mirmont Outpatient Centers offer the following MATs to treat alcohol addiction:

• Acamprosate: For those in recovery from alcohol addiction who wish to remain abstinent, acamprosate can be a useful tool. However, it does not address withdrawal symptoms that may occur after drinking. Acamprosate is typically initiated on the fifth day of abstinence and can take five to eight days to become fully effective. It is administered orally in tablet form three times a day.
• Disulfiram: Disulfiram is a treatment for chronic alcoholism and is particularly effective for individuals who have ceased consuming alcohol or are in the early stages of abstinence. It is important to note that the tablet form of disulfiram should never be ingested while under the influence of alcohol, and a period of at least 12 hours after drinking should elapse before taking the medication. Additionally, adverse reactions such as nausea, headaches, vomiting, chest pains and breathing difficulties may occur within just ten minutes of drinking even a small amount of alcohol.
• Naltrexone: By inhibiting the pleasurable sensations and intoxication that alcohol produces, this medication empowers individuals with alcohol use disorders to decrease their alcohol consumption and maintain their commitment to taking the medication, following their treatment regimen and avoiding any potential relapses.
• Other treatment options may be available for you after consultation.

Mirmont Outpatient Centers offer evidence-based MAT for other substances and behavioral addictions which may be available after your initial consultation.

If you are not in mild withdrawal before beginning medication-assisted treatment for addiction, you’re at risk of putting yourself into severe withdrawal when you take your first dose of medication. To determine your level of withdrawal, we use the Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale (COWS). A COWS screening will be conducted before you enter the MAT program.

If at the time of screening you are not in mild withdrawal, you may be asked to be screened again at a later date and to postpone your entry into the program.

As part of the program and in compliance with Pennsylvania state regulations, any person being treatment with MAT must have a minimum of a monthly urine screen. Screening may be conducted more frequently at the discretion of our providers and staff.

What to expect from medication-assisted treatment program

You will have an initial assessment with a therapist who will review your options and provide some treatment recommendations. If you are recommended for MAT you will be scheduled for a second appointment with one of our MAT prescribers. When you arrive for your appointment you will be asked to:

• Provide a photo ID for your medical record
• Present your insurance card(s)

During your appointment, you’ll meet with a nurse who will check your vital signs and assess your current level of withdrawal from addictive substances. The nurse will remind you of the requirement to have your primary care doctor complete a physical.

Medication-assisted treatment offers a beacon of hope for many facing the challenges of addiction. By combining medication with comprehensive support services, MAT programs help pave a path to recovery that is both manageable and sustainable. For individuals and families in active addiction, exploring the benefits of a medication-assisted treatment program could be the first step towards a brighter, substance-free future.