Addiction treatment programs are as varied and unique as the people who participate in them. While some do well with a medication-assisted treatment (MAT) program in Los Angeles, others are better suited to a traditional abstinence-based addiction treatment program.
The type of program you will go through will depend on various factors, and it’s important to understand some of the differences between these two types of approaches to addiction treatment.
If you need addiction treatment in Los Angeles, reach out to our team at Virtues Behavioral Health by calling 855.579.8599 to learn more about the services we offer.
What Is MAT?
The acronym MAT stands for medication-assisted treatment. MAT programs operate with the goal of full recovery for participants. They use medication along with behavioral therapies and counseling to help people achieve and sustain recovery.
Regarded as a whole-patient approach to treating substance use disorders, medication-assisted treatment in California is individually tailored to each person’s needs. All medications used in these addiction treatment programs are evidence-based treatment options approved by the FDA.
What Does MAT Treat?
The average MAT program in Los Angeles treats addiction to opioids, such as those found in some prescription pain relievers and heroin. It can also be utilized in alcohol addiction treatment. Medications used during treatment block the euphoric effects of opioids and alcohol, normalize brain chemistry, relieve cravings, and normalize functions of the body.
Is Medication-Assisted Treatment in Los Angeles Effective?
MAT is proven to drastically reduce the need for inpatient detox services and has shown to be clinically effective for treating substance use disorders. Medication-assisted treatment in California has proven to:
- Decrease opiate use
- Improve birth outcomes among those who are pregnant and have substance use disorders
- Increase a person’s ability to gain and maintain employment
- Decrease criminal activity among people with substance use disorders
- Increase treatment retention
In addition, medication-assisted treatment in Los Angeles has proven to reduce the risk of relapse, lowering a person’s risk of contracting hepatitis C, HIV, and AIDS.
How Is MAT Different from Standard Addiction Treatment?
The main difference between standard addiction treatment and MAT is the absence of pharmacotherapy in traditional programs; prescription medications are not used in standard treatment. In contrast, medications (also referred to as opioid agonists or antagonists) are a significant component of medication-assisted therapy programs.
While medication-assisted treatment is considered first-line treatment for many people with an opioid use disorder, others prefer standard treatment. Some of the medications used in MAT are controlled substances because of the potential for misuse.
In addition, some medications used for alcohol use disorders are not helpful for people who continue to drink alcohol. In cases such as these, standard addiction treatment may prove most beneficial.
Talk to your treatment provider if you’re interested in the benefits of MAT and if you think that this approach to treatment could be right for you.
Need Medication-Assisted Treatment in California? Contact Virtues Behavioral Health
MAT is available at Virtues Behavioral Health and is a powerful treatment designed to help you or your loved one reclaim a life free of substance use disorders. We also have many other addiction treatment programs and services to help you successfully manage withdrawal symptoms, feel better as your cravings diminish, reach recovery, and maintain sobriety, including:
- Family therapy
- Art therapy
- Relapse prevention
- Life skills
- Yoga therapy
- Nutrition education
- Exercise programs
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
Our MAT program in Los Angeles combines FDA-approved medications with behavioral therapies and counseling to provide the gold standard in substance use disorder treatment. When you’re ready to take that first important step on the road to recovery, contact Virtues Behavioral Health by calling 855.579.8599.
