MEDICATION-ASSISTED TREATMENT PROGRAM SERVING FORT WORTH, TX

Combining Medical Expertise and Compassionate Care to Support Sustainable Recovery from Opioid and Alcohol Addiction

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MEDICATIONS USED IN OUR MAT PROGRAM SERVING FORT WORTH, TX

Explore the FDA-Approved Options Offered at Taylor Recovery Center to Support Recovery Safely

Medications used in addiction treatment can assist patients in tapering off their substance of preference. They assist clients in transitioning to a less damaging and ultimately drug-free condition. Certain MAT medications may elicit unpleasant reactions if the patient consumes alcohol or illegal substances. The client develops an association between adverse experiences related to alcohol or drug use, which is likely to deter future use. 

Below are some of the medications that you can expect once you enroll in our medication-assisted treatment program serving Fort Worth, TX. The medications are classified into 4 major categories, i.e., opioid agonists, opioid antagonists, alcohol antagonists, and GABA analogs.

1.   Opioid Agonists 

Opioid agonists bind to similar brain receptors as opioid drugs. The difference between the two lies in the fact that opioids induce euphoria in users, whilst opioid agonists do not. This category of medications is used to mitigate the adverse consequences caused by cravings. An individual with an addiction may use an opioid agonist to manage their severe cravings, so as to avoid a relapse into previous opioid use to mitigate these symptoms. 

These medications include:

a.   Buprenorphine (Suboxone)

Buprenorphine (Suboxone) serves as a partial opioid agonist that alleviates withdrawal symptoms and diminishes cravings. This medication stimulates opioid receptors within the brain without posing an overdose danger or inducing the same euphoria as opioids like heroin. It deceives the brain into thinking that it is receiving a whole dosage of an opioid. The brain’s opioid receptors are being inhibited. An individual using buprenorphine does not experience euphoria while using opioids. They do not experience cravings for substances or experience withdrawal symptoms associated with these substances. Seeking a sober lifestyle becomes more manageable. 

An individual using buprenorphine as prescribed operates normally. It is offered in the form of a pill, an injection, a subcutaneous implant, and a transdermal film. However, buprenorphine must not be used alongside alcohol. It may result in respiratory depression, unconsciousness, and potential brain damage. 

b.   Methadone

Methadone is an opioid agonist often used, in regulated dosages, to mitigate opioid cravings. This medication completely activates the brain’s receptors upon administration of the dosage. Methadone does not have the same euphoric effects as illegal opiates for consumers. It mitigates the effects of every other opioid that may be active in the client’s system. Methadone is offered in tablet form or as an oral concentrate that may be combined with juice. The medication is a component of a holistic treatment strategy that encompasses counseling and other behavioral health interventions for those diagnosed with an opioid use disorder. 

2.   Opioid Antagonists 

Opioid antagonists work by inhibiting the brain’s opioid receptors. Individuals using this MAT medication together with opioids will not attain a euphoric effect. This medication mitigates cravings but does not alleviate withdrawal symptoms. 

Some of the opioid antagonists include:

a.   Naltrexone

Naltrexone works as an opioid antagonist. It is used for the treatment of alcohol and substance dependence. A patient must be free of alcohol or drugs prior to initiating naltrexone treatment. The medicine will induce nausea and vomiting when used alongside other substances. Naltrexone works by inhibiting the brain’s receptors responsible for generating euphoric sensations during alcohol use. Upon use of alcohol, it permeates the bloodstream and circulates throughout the body. Alcohol functions as a depressant and stimulates the production of endorphins, the body’s “feel-good” chemicals. The individual experiences calm and joy when consuming a drink. An increased concentration of endorphins in the brain correlates with enhanced feelings of well-being. Consequently, some individuals resort to alcohol use as a means of relaxation and unwinding. Dependence on alcohol as a source of pleasure can precipitate a dangerous descent into addiction. 

Naltrexone is non-addictive. Patients who use it will not develop a dependency on their medication. If they relapse and consume alcohol, the drug will prevent them from attaining the same level of relaxation they previously experienced when drinking. Gradually, the client will acquire the ability to dissociate alcohol from the experience of happiness, so facilitating their sobriety throughout recovery. Naltrexone is offered in tablet form for alcohol use disorder and as a monthly injection for both alcohol use disorder and opioid use disorder. Naltrexone is administered as an element of a treatment regimen that comprises counseling along with additional behavioral therapies.

3.   GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid) Analogs 

These medications may be administered to patients undergoing detox from alcohol dependence. They inhibit the brain’s impulses linked to withdrawal symptoms, so facilitating a more pleasant first phase of the individual’s recovery. 

Some of the GABA analogs include:

1.   Acamprosate

Acamprosate (Campral) is administered to those recovering from alcohol addiction after five days of starting detoxification. It reestablishes the equilibrium of neurotransmitters in the brain to assist the client in sustaining abstinence by diminishing alcohol cravings. Acamprosate is provided in tablet form and is typically administered three times daily. It is most effective when used with therapy and support groups. 

4.  Alcohol Antagonists 

This categorization of medications makes the user feel sick upon alcohol use, rather than eliciting any beneficial effects from the alcohol. It diminishes the likelihood of relapsing.

An example of an alcohol antagonist includes:

a.   Disulfiram 

Disulfiram is an alcohol antagonist marketed as Antabuse. This medication was the first medication approved for the treatment of alcohol use disorder in the United States. Disulfiram alters the body’s metabolism and excretion of alcohol. The metabolic alteration converts alcohol into acetaldehyde, the undesirable substance responsible for hangover symptoms. Disulfiram inhibits the oxidation process, preventing the body from metabolizing acetaldehyde and mitigating its effects. It increases the concentration of acetaldehyde in the individual’s circulation. Elevated concentrations of acetaldehyde induce sensations like those experienced during a hangover. This symptom aims to deter recovering individuals from using alcohol. 

Verify Your Insurance Coverage

Do you need help figuring out your insurance coverage for MAT?

At Taylor Recovery Center, we offer free insurance verification to help you understand your benefits and avoid unexpected costs. 

Our team will take care of the paperwork so you can focus on what matters, your recovery. 

Let us help you make the first step smoother.