Medication Assisted Treatment – Minneapolis

CREATE offers Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) as part of their substance use disorder recovery. MAT can be defined as the use of FDA- approved medications in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies. MAT offers treatment plans for:

• Substance Use Disorder
• Alcohol Use Disorder
• Nicotine Use Disorder

There are four drugs that have been approved by the FDA to facilitate treatment of substance use disorder. Those drugs are buprenorphine, vivitrol, methadone, and naltrexone. These drugs have been safely tested and effective when combined with counseling and psychosocial support.

Benefits of Medication Assisted Treatments

Medication Assisted Treatments are extremely helpful in the early stages or substance recovery, especially when the individual is first going through detoxification. This method of treatment is designed to help stabilize the individual with a substance use disorder and help them to return to a more normal functioning state. The medications used in help to reduce cravings and withdrawal, while making treatment services more manageable. More benefits of using medication assisted treatments include:

• • Cost-effective
  • Increase treatment retention

• • Reduce criminal activity

• • Improve social functioning
  • Reduce the risk of overdose

What to Expect With Medication Assisted Treatments

Medication Assisted Treatment is growing as the concern over substance use disorder continues to spread. Many treatment providers like CREATE are seeing the benefits of these medications that are being integrated into treatment protocols. There are three phases in the treatments and here is what you can expect:

• • Induction Phase – This is the first step of treatment; the initial dose is administered. The medication dose may increase over time depending on the prescriber and what the individual needs.
  • Stabilization Phase – Individuals who participate in a medication assisted treatment will start to experience a decrease in cravings and side effects after the proper dose has been reached. With eliminating symptoms caused by withdrawal by these medications, counseling and other supportive services can take place and help stabilize an individual.

• • Maintenance Phase –  This is the last phase in a medication assisted treatment. An individual maintains the lowest dose of medication to maintain a healthy functional lifestyle.