Substance Use Disorder and Medication Assisted Treatment

Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) is the use of FDA-approved medications for the treatment of substance use disorders. Mental health and substance use disorders affect people from all walks of life and all age groups. The individual may be having difficulties with symptoms that affect their thoughts, mood, behaviors, and sleep. Substance use disorders occur when the recurrent use of alcohol and/or drugs causes clinically significant impairment, including health problems, disability, and failure to meet major responsibilities at work, school, or home.

Medication Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder

Suboxone (Buprenorphine and Naloxone)

Buprenorphine
Buprenorphine suppresses and reduces cravings for the abused drug. Buprenorphine has unique pharmacological properties that help:

• Diminish the effects of physical dependency on opioids, such as withdrawal symptoms and cravings
• Increase safety in cases of overdose

Buprenorphine is an opioid partial agonist. This means that, like opioids, it produces effects such as euphoria or respiratory depression. With buprenorphine, however, these effects are weaker than those of full drugs such as heroin and methadone. Buprenorphine’s opioid effects increase with each dose until at moderate doses they level off, even with further dose increases. This “ceiling effect” lowers the risk of misuse, dependency, and side effects. Also, because of buprenorphine’s long-acting agent, many patients may not have to take it every day.

Naltrexone

Naltrexone works differently than methadone and buprenorphine in the treatment of opioid dependency. If a person using naltrexone relapses and uses the abused drug, naltrexone blocks the euphoric and sedative effects of the abused drug and prevents feelings of euphoria.

Medication Assisted Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder

Naltrexone
When used as a treatment for alcohol dependency, naltrexone blocks the euphoric effects and feelings of intoxication. This allows people with alcohol addiction to reduce their drinking behaviors enough to remain motivated to stay in treatment, avoid relapses, and take medications.

Acamprosate
Acamprosate is a medication for people in recovery who have already stopped drinking alcohol and want to avoid drinking. It works to prevent people from drinking alcohol, but it does not prevent withdrawal symptoms after people drink alcohol.

Medication Assisted Treatment for Nicotine Use Disorder

The greatest success for people being able to quit smoking is achieved with a combination of a nicotine patch and nicotine gum. The patch gives a steady dose of nicotine and the gum is utilized for cravings and/or urges to smoke. Other medication options for treatment consideration are Chantix or Wellbutrin.