For many men and women who are addicted to alcohol and/or other drugs, overcoming an addiction is one of the most challenging endeavors they will experience. Without professional help, an individual is likely to remain ensnared in the vicious cycle of substance abuse, unable to break free from this potentially lethal circumstance. However, by engaging in proper treatment, those who have previously been unable to overcome their chemical dependency can do so and experience the healthier lives they deserve to be living.
Medication assisted treatment, one of the invaluable types of treatment that Cardinal Behavioral Healthcare is proud to offer, is one of the most effective and life-changing forms of care that can help adult men and women, aged 18 and older, overcome the compulsion to engage in substance abuse.
Designed specifically for the treatment of opioid addictions, medication assisted treatment through Cardinal Behavioral Healthcare’s Comprehensive Treatment Centers includes both specific medications and therapeutic interventions that are meant to do the following:
- Assist men and women in focusing on their healing and recovery processes without being saddled with overpowering cravings and uncomfortable physical symptoms of withdrawal
- Help those who are addicted to opioids to understand and process what led them to abuse drugs such as heroin or prescription painkillers in the first place
- Develop the skills and confidence needed to hold true to their treatment and recovery goals
By participating in the following at our Comprehensive Treatment Centers, which are located across the United States, individuals have the opportunity to maximize their treatment experience and begin to realize a life that no longer includes the abuse of opioids:
Methadone: One of the most studied medications offered within medication assisted treatment, methadone is administered once per day via dissolvable tablet or liquid solution. This prescription medication decreases cravings for continued opioid use and eases the physical symptoms of withdrawal that emerge once an individual is no longer abusing heroin and/or prescription painkillers.
Subutex: Since it was first approved in 2002 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use within medication assisted treatment programs, Subutex has been an excellent medication option for those who wish to live opioid-free lives. A partial opioid agonist-antagonist that contains buprenorphine, Subutex is often prescribed to individuals at the start of treatment, with the goal of transitioning the individual to Suboxone for long-term maintenance. Like methadone, Subutex blocks opioid cravings and physical withdrawal symptoms with little to no risk.
Suboxone: Comprised of buprenorphine and naloxone, Suboxone is an FDA-approved medication that has helped numerous individuals break free from the grips of opioid addiction. Similar to methadone and Subutex, Suboxone helps to alleviate the physical symptoms of withdrawal and decrease cravings for continued opioid use. Additionally, if an individual attempts to abuse opioids such as heroin and prescription painkillers while taking Suboxone, that person will experience adverse results because naloxone counteracts the effects that opioids have on the brain. This medication is also often used as a long-term medication option after an individual begins treatment with Subutex.
Vivitrol: As medication assisted treatment’s only injectable medication, Vivitrol has been approved by the FDA since 2010 for use in programs that treat opioid addiction. Administered only once each month, this naltrexone-based medication wards off opioid cravings, alleviates physical symptoms of withdrawal, and prevents overdose from occurring. This medication is extremely effective at helping adult men and women defeat addictions to opioids, and it has a proven track record of preventing individuals in recovery from experiencing relapse.
Individual therapy: Given the fact that a person’s mental and emotional health can contribute to the development of an opioid addiction, Cardinal Behavioral Healthcare’s Comprehensive Treatment Centers are pleased to supply individual therapy opportunities to those who participate in medication assisted treatment. Individual therapy sessions can be excellent forums in which patients can openly share and process their thoughts, feelings, emotions, and experiences with a qualified counselor. Additionally, these sessions can serve as an optimal time to establish new short- and long-term goals.
Group therapy: To provide patients with as much support as possible, Cardinal Behavioral Healthcare’s Comprehensive Treatment Centers also offer group therapy opportunities. Group therapy sessions are led by experienced and compassionate counselors who supply guidance and establish a safe space in which patients can process their experiences with others who have endured similar addiction-related challenges. These sessions can serve a time for men and women to benefit from encouragement and feedback from their peers so that they are able to stick with their goals while working toward a recovered future.
In order to determine which of the above medications or blend of therapeutic interventions is best suited for a person’s needs, contact one of Cardinal Behavioral Healthcare’s Comprehensive Treatment Centers to schedule an assessment. Thorough assessments help staff members, including on-site doctors, nurses, and counselors, determine which medication is most appropriate and effective and what type of therapeutic services will enable an individual to progress in his or her recovery.
To learn more about the medication assisted treatment offered through Cardinal Behavioral Healthcare’s Comprehensive Treatment Centers, or to acquire more information about the other types of substance abuse treatment available, please do not hesitate to contact an Cardinal Behavioral Healthcare provider today.
When an individual chooses an Cardinal Behavioral Healthcare Comprehensive Treatment Center to begin life anew without the pain and constraints of addiction, he or she takes an essential step toward a healthier tomorrow and a more promising future.