Addiction can take over a person’s life, damaging their closest relationships and keeping them from fulfilling their true potential. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT), which combines medication with therapy, can help adults make the positive changes needed to promote lifelong recovery.
What Is Medication-Assisted Treatment?
The medication-assisted treatment program at Longleaf Hospital serves adults age 18 and older of all genders who are struggling with alcohol use disorder and opioid use disorder.
Commonly known as MAT, this type of care is a research-based intervention that uses a combination of medication and therapy to help adults stop using substances and begin building a foundation for lasting recovery.
The medications used in MAT aid in alleviating cravings while reducing the physical and psychological symptoms associated with withdrawal. The professional team at Longleaf Hospital administers these medications and closely monitors every person’s response and progress throughout their time in our MAT program.
The therapeutic component of medication-assisted treatment addresses the root causes of a person’s struggles with addiction. During therapy sessions, you will have the opportunity to explore the underlying reasons you may have started using substances, and you can also develop healthier coping skills to prevent future relapse.
Before we add MAT to your care plan, you will complete a comprehensive assessment to evaluate whether you will benefit from this intervention. If we determine that MAT is right for you, we will customize a treatment plan to your specific recovery goals.
Medications Used in MAT
The expert team at Longleaf Hospital will identify the best medication for your needs based on the information we gather during the assessment process.
The medications we use have been approved for their safety and efficacy by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Your care plan may include:
- Suboxone or buprenorphine if you are struggling with opioid use disorder
- Campral if you are struggling with alcohol use disorder
- Vivitrol or naltrexone if you are struggling with either substance use disorder
When taking medication as part of a MAT protocol, you will be closely supervised by professionals who are highly experienced in using these medications to promote successful recovery. Throughout your time in the program, your care team will make any adjustments necessary to ensure that you continue to make progress toward your recovery goals.
Therapeutic Support During MAT
The MAT medications we use at Longleaf Hospital have shown to improve recovery outcomes and reduce the likelihood of future relapse. But medication alone cannot help you make the behavioral and lifestyle changes needed to truly commit to a life in recovery.
When you take part in medication-assisted treatment at our facility, you’ll also receive therapeutic support that addresses the experiences and emotions that may have led to your struggles with addiction.
You can expect to participate in an intensive outpatient program that utilizes a group therapy format to provide education and skill-building. During group therapy sessions, you’ll discuss topics such as relapse prevention, healthier coping skills, self-care, sleep and hygiene, anger management, building social support, and overdose awareness.
In some cases, your care team may also recommend that you take part in one-on-one counseling or family therapy to support your recovery.
Most people participate in the therapeutic aspects of our MAT program for four to six weeks, but your time in therapy will be determined by your specific needs and progress.
By participating in MAT at Longleaf Hospital, you will receive the comprehensive support you need to end your substance use and rediscover a brighter, more hopeful future.
