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Methadone-Assisted Treatment: A Proven Solution for Opioid Addiction

Methadone-Assisted Treatment (MAT) is a proven option for opioid addiction that uses methadone to manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings. At CORE Medical Clinic, we offer compassionate, evidence-based care.

April 20, 2023

C.O.R.E. Medical Clinic Team

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Are you or a loved one struggling with opioid addiction? It's a serious and growing problem in the United States, but there is hope. Methadone-Assisted Treatment (MAT) is a highly effective treatment option that can help you overcome addiction and get your life back on track.

What is Methadone-Assisted Treatment?

MAT is a type of medication-assisted treatment that uses methadone, a synthetic opioid medication, to help manage the symptoms of opioid withdrawal and cravings. Methadone works by binding to the same receptors in the brain as opioids, but without the dangerous side effects or intense high.

How Does Methadone-Assisted Treatment Work?

MAT typically involves daily visits to a clinic, where patients receive a dose of methadone under the supervision of medical staff. Over time, patients may be able to decrease their dose of methadone as they progress through treatment and begin to experience fewer withdrawal symptoms.

Who is a Good Candidate for Methadone-Assisted Treatment?

MAT is generally recommended for individuals who have been diagnosed with opioid addiction and have tried other forms of addiction treatment without success. It may also be appropriate for individuals who are at high risk of relapse or overdose.

The Benefits of Methadone-Assisted Treatment:

MAT has been proven to be highly effective for individuals with opioid addiction. Some of the benefits of MAT include:

  • Reduced cravings and withdrawal symptoms
  • Decreased risk of overdose and other health complications
  • Improved social functioning and quality of life
  • Increased likelihood of long-term recovery

At CORE Medical Clinic, we've seen firsthand the positive impact that MAT can have on individuals struggling with opioid addiction. Patients like John, who had been using heroin every day, found stability, control, and hope for the future with MAT.

Medication management is an important component of MAT, and involves regular monitoring of patients' medication doses to ensure that they are safe and effective. At CORE Medical Clinic, we offer a range of counseling and support services, including individual and group therapy, peer support groups, and family involvement, to help patients achieve long-term recovery.

Despite the proven benefits of MAT, there are still misconceptions and stigmas surrounding the treatment. At CORE Medical Clinic, we believe that every patient deserves compassion, respect, and evidence-based care.

Conclusion:

Methadone-Assisted Treatment is a proven solution for opioid addiction, offering reduced cravings and withdrawal symptoms, decreased risk of overdose, and increased likelihood of long-term recovery. If you or a loved one is struggling with opioid addiction, CORE Medical Clinic can provide compassionate, evidence-based MAT services to help you achieve lasting recovery. Contact us today to learn more about our MAT and other addiction treatment options.

Educational content from Core Medical Clinic. This article does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Initially, an intake assessment and admission medical history and exam is completed by counseling and medical staff. Treatment options are discussed and a course of action taken. Medication recommendations are made and initated to balance safety and benefit as much as possible. It is very important to let counseling, dispensing and medical staff know how the medication is working or not so appropriate adjustments can be made.

At C.O.R.E., we strive to individualize treatment and maximize success. There is no time pressure. Some do well with short term treatment while others benefit from long term treatment. We know relapse is common and can have disasterous results. We work hard to treat each patient as long as is required to achieve long term success.

First we work closely with the individual to achieve a “normalizing’ dose of medication to alleviate withdrawal and craving while minimizing side effects. Working closely with medical, dispensing and counseling staff most often allows us to achieve this goal in the first few days to weeks.

Not necessarily. C.O.R.E. Medical Clinic serves patients in Sacramento, West Sacramento, and surrounding areas. People often choose a clinic based on accessibility, treatment needs, and location.

C.O.R.E. Medical Clinic accepts several health insurance plans, including Medi-Cal, MHN, Anthem, Medicare, Humana, Kaiser Permanente, Optum, Blue Shield of California, Magellan Health, and Western Health Advantage.

As most patients entering treatment know, opioid withdrawal is awful and inevitably leads to continued use. We are sensitive to how terrible the craving, restlessness, anxiety, bone aches, upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, sweating, etc. can be. If alcohol, benzodiazepines, stimulants, or other drugs are involved withdrawal can be medically dangerous and require residential or coordinated medical care. Opioid withdrawal can be greatly reduced or eliminated by the early doses provided but again frequent contact with treatment staff for medication adjustments is very important.

The great majority of patients seeking treatment for opioid addiction can continue their normal life, including work, while they are working to find their ’normalizing’ medication dose. If residential or coordinated medical care is required, some time off may be necessary but again this will be individualized. Clinic hours are designed to accommodate the vast majority of working patients.

We work hard to educate patients about the benefits and safety of MAT. Many myths circulate about MAT such as it causing liver problems, bone problems and being harder to get off than fentanyl or heroin. These are absolutely false and will be discussed in detail with your treatment staff. Patients who receive MAT are much healthier than patients not in treatment. Learning to manage common side effects like constipation and weight gain can make patients healthier than they have ever been. All opioids are hard to get off but MAT can set up a very careful and safe detox when a patient is ready. An abrupt short term detox is not advised and can be difficult but a gradual, medically safe detox minimizes withdrawal symptoms. Supplemental safe, non addicting medications can further reduce unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.

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