Medication Assisted Treatment Specialist

What is medication assisted treatment?

 Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is an addiction treatment that involves the use of medications that ease withdrawal symptoms and help prevent relapse.

The skilled team at Northshore Family Practice designs personalized MAT programs to assist patients in their recovery from alcohol and drug addiction. The team works with mental health professionals who provide counseling and psychiatric services as part of an evidence-based, whole-patient approach to recovery.

What is involved in medication assisted treatment?

The experts at Northshore Family Practice have extensive knowledge of addiction medicine. Some of the most common medications they use include:  

Suboxone®

Suboxone, an oral medication containing both buprenorphine and naloxone, has a dual effect. Buprenorphine is molecularly similar to opioids, but doesn’t cause you to feel “high.” It allows you to gradually wean off opioid medications without experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms. Naloxone blocks opioid receptors so you can’t get high if you do take opioids, which helps prevent relapse.

VIVITROL®

VIVITROL is an injectable medication containing naltrexone. Naltrexone blocks opioid receptors to prevent euphoria and helps you avoid relapse.

Naltrexone pellet therapy

Naltrexone, which blocks the effects of both opioids and alcohol, can be administered in the form of a small pellet, which your physician implants in the lower abdominal wall. The pellet releases a measured dose of naltrexone for up to six months to help prevent relapse.

Sublocade™ injection therapy

Sublocade contains buprenorphine, an opioid-like drug that doesn’t cause euphoria. When injected subcutaneously, Sublocade releases a measured dose of the drug for one month to lessen the severity of withdrawal symptoms.

Which type of addiction medication is right for me?

When you make the choice to end your dependence on alcohol or drugs, the compassionate providers at Northshore Family Practice begin by performing a comprehensive evaluation. This helps determine the extent of your physical addiction, your general physical and psychological health, and the best methods to end your dependence on alcohol or drugs and set you up for a successful recovery.

Following your evaluation, your provider designs a custom treatment plan tailored to meet your individual needs. They’ll spend time discussing all recommended medications with you to ensure you have all the information you need to feel confident about your recovery plan.

To learn more about medication-assisted treatment, schedule a confidential consultation at Northshore Family Practice. Call today or book online.