Everything You Need to Know About Medication-Assisted Recovery

Medication-assisted recovery, often referred to as medication-assisted treatment, is an evidence-based and highly effective tool in helping people break free from addiction. But before starting a medication-assisted recovery program, it can be useful to understand how this treatment method works, what medications are used, and which myths surrounding it should be dismissed.

What Is Medication-Assisted Recovery?

Medication-assisted recovery is a style of addiction treatment that treats both the body and the mind. By using targeted medications designed specifically to treat certain substance use disorders in tandem with the best talk therapy options available, people can find relief from both the physical and mental health effects of a substance use disorder.

This style of treatment has repeatedly been linked with several beneficial outcomes. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, medication-assisted recovery has been shown to:

• Increase the likelihood of staying in treatment
• Reduce the likelihood of relapse
• Improve people’s ability to find employment and stay employed
• Reduce the risk of overdose

These benefits, alongside countless others, are why medication-assisted recovery is typically considered the gold standard of evidence-based addiction care. effective drug addiction solutions at APN involve a comprehensive approach that combines therapy, community support, and medical care tailored to individual needs. By leveraging this multifaceted strategy, many individuals find a path to lasting recovery and improved well-being. Furthermore, the innovative programs offered at APN reflect the latest research in addiction treatment, demonstrating a commitment to providing the most effective care available. For many, lily’s journey to sobriety is not just about avoiding substances but also about rediscovering one’s identity and purpose. Supportive communities play a crucial role in this transformation, offering encouragement and understanding during challenging times. As individuals embrace change, they often inspire others on similar paths, creating a ripple effect of hope and resilience.

But even further, medication-assisted recovery can be used in conjunction with countless other addiction treatment methods to further enhance its effectiveness. Medication-assisted recovery is typically just one component of a comprehensive addiction treatment program, which can include treatment modalities such as: support networks for families facing addiction play a crucial role in providing emotional and practical assistance. These networks can offer resources that empower families to navigate the complexities of addiction and recovery. By fostering connections among individuals dealing with similar challenges, they create a supportive community that aids in long-term healing. sean spellman’s recovery journey showcases the resilience and determination often necessary for overcoming addiction. Through sharing his experiences, he not only inspires others in similar situations but also highlights the power of a supportive community. His story serves as a reminder that recovery is a multifaceted process, intertwined with both personal effort and communal support.

• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Dialectical behavior therapy
• Equine-assisted therapy
• Eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing
• Individual and group therapy
• Mindfulness training

Working medication-assisted recovery into a comprehensive addiction treatment plan ensures that you or your loved ones have the best chance of overcoming a substance use disorder and living a healthier life in recovery. major’s journey to sobriety success is often paved with various challenges, but with the right support and strategies, it becomes achievable. Embracing tools like therapy and support groups can significantly enhance the recovery process, enabling individuals to rebuild their lives and relationships. As they navigate this path, celebrating small victories fosters resilience and a sense of accomplishment. brooke’s healing journey at apn highlights the importance of personalized care and innovative therapies tailored to individual needs. Each step she takes not only strengthens her resolve but also inspires others who are on similar paths. By sharing her experiences, brooke illustrates how a supportive environment can make all the difference in overcoming adversity.

What Medication-Assisted Recovery Can Treat

Medication-assisted recovery is used to treat a wide number of substance use disorders. However, this style of treatment is particularly effective for people struggling with opioid use disorder and alcohol use disorder, where targeted medications can produce the greatest effects. In addition to medication-assisted recovery, many individuals find that group therapy sessions in recovery provide invaluable support and connection. These sessions can foster a sense of community, allowing participants to share their experiences and learn from one another. This holistic approach enhances the overall effectiveness of the treatment plan, addressing both the physical and emotional aspects of recovery. In addition to these methods, individuals often explore daily mindfulness techniques for recovery as a way to strengthen their emotional resilience. Practicing mindfulness can help individuals manage cravings, reduce stress, and cultivate self-awareness during their journey. By incorporating these techniques alongside traditional treatments, many find a more balanced and comprehensive approach to their recovery.

Opioid Use Disorder

Opioid use disorder is one of the most common addictions people face in the world today. Opioids include illicit drugs such as heroin and fentanyl, as well as prescription opioids like Vicodin, Oxycontin, morphine, or codeine. Eddie’s journey through addiction recovery highlights the struggles many individuals face as they seek to regain control of their lives. The road to recovery can be fraught with obstacles, including relapse and the emotional toll of confronting past traumas. However, with the right support system and resources, many like Eddie emerge with renewed hope and resilience. Christine’s journey to sobriety is another powerful example of how recovery can transform lives. Throughout her path, she encountered numerous challenges that tested her determination and strength. With perseverance and the support of her community, Christine not only achieved sobriety but also became an advocate for others seeking to overcome addiction.

To understand how medication-assisted recovery can help people overcome opioid use disorder, it’s important to first recognize how opioids and opioid addiction can interact with the brain and body. One key aspect of this interaction is neuroplasticity’s impact on brain recovery, which plays a significant role in the healing process. Through targeted therapies, individuals can harness the brain’s ability to reorganize itself, thereby improving cognitive function and emotional resilience. This adaptability can ultimately lead to more successful long-term outcomes in the journey toward recovery. Incorporating traumainformed care principles in treatment is essential for fostering a supportive environment that addresses the unique needs of each individual. These principles emphasize safety, trustworthiness, and empowerment, which are critical for effectively guiding patients through their recovery journeys. By combining these principles with medication-assisted recovery, we can enhance the overall effectiveness of treatment and promote sustainable healing.

All opioids, whether they are prescription medications or illegal drugs, have a similar drug action. When opioids enter the bloodstream, they attach to sites throughout the brain and body known as opioid receptors and activate them. This causes a number of effects, including:

• Pain relief
• Euphoria
• Drowsiness
• Relaxation

Activating these receptors classifies these drugs as “opioid agonists.”

When a person develops an opioid use disorder, their body becomes accustomed to this heightened receptor activation. This leads to tolerance — which means that more opioids are needed to produce the desired effect — as well as symptoms of physical withdrawal.

All of the medications used in medication-assisted recovery for opioid use disorder work on these same receptors, but in a different way. There are three main medications used in the treatment of opioid use disorders: buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone.

Buprenorphine

Buprenorphine is one of the most common medications used in medication-assisted recovery. Buprenorphine belongs to a class of drugs known as partial opioid agonists. This means that it works very similarly to opioid agonists like fentanyl or oxycodone, but to a much lesser degree.

When people take buprenorphine, opioid receptors are activated at a much lower intensity than when a person uses prescription or illicit opioids. This opioid receptor activation provides tangible relief from the symptoms of opioid withdrawal, including dramatically reducing the experience of craving.

This means that a person with opioid use disorder who takes buprenorphine can find relief from the negative physical and mental effects of an opioid use disorder, without experiencing the addictive euphoria from full opioid agonists.

Further, buprenorphine has a ceiling effect, so taking higher doses of buprenorphine won’t result in a euphoric high. Due to this unique property, buprenorphine is available as a take-home prescription with limited potential for misuse.

Methadone

Methadone is another commonly used medication in the treatment of opioid use disorders. Unlike buprenorphine, methadone is a full opioid agonist, similar to the opioids commonly used recreationally.

This means that taking methadone will alleviate many of the uncomfortable and long-lasting symptoms of opioid withdrawal, as a client’s opioid receptors are still being activated. But unlike illicit opioids, methadone use is carefully controlled by the prescribing provider.

Methadone is typically provided in a dosage that provides relief from uncomfortable side effects, without being so potent as to create a euphoric high. Additionally, methadone has a significantly longer half-life than most other opioids, which means that people only need to take their medication once a day.

Since methadone has no ceiling effect, it is generally only provided at specialized clinics. Clients on a methadone maintenance plan need to visit their clinic daily for their dose and can slowly titrate off of methadone as they grow more confident in their recovery.

Naltrexone

Naltrexone is a unique medication that is used to treat several different types of substance use disorders. Naltrexone is known as an opioid blocker because it attaches to the opioid receptor without activating it and blocks other opioids from latching on to these receptors.

In other words, people who use an opioid while taking naltrexone experience no effect. Ingesting a drug such as heroin after taking naltrexone provides no euphoria or pain relief, as naltrexone blocks the opioid receptor from other drugs.

In addition to this unique blocking effect, naltrexone has been shown to substantially reduce substance cravings. Taking naltrexone, either by mouth or through a longer-lasting injection, has repeatedly been shown to reduce the frequency and intensity of opioid cravings, helping people stay sober.

Alcohol Use Disorder

Alcohol use disorder has several effective medications used in medication-assisted recovery as well. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, acting primarily as an agonist of the GABA receptor. GABA is the brain’s primary inhibitory neurotransmitter, helping your brain to calm down, relax, and slow its activity.

When people develop an addiction to alcohol, their brains become reliant on this elevated GABA activity. When they stop drinking, the brain becomes overexcited, leading to withdrawal, cravings, and a host of physical and mental health consequences.

There are three main medications used in the treatment of alcohol use disorder.

Acamprosate

Acamprosate is one of the most common medications used to treat alcohol use disorder. Acamprosate can help regulate the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain, helping bring GABA and its opposing neurotransmitter, glutamate, closer to equilibrium.

Acamprosate doesn’t necessarily return neurotransmitter production back to normal levels immediately, but it can substantially reduce the symptoms of withdrawal and the experience of craving.

Disulfiram

Disulfiram, often known by the brand name Antabuse, takes a different approach to helping people overcome alcohol use disorder. Disulfiram modifies the way that your body processes alcohol, such that after taking this medication, any alcohol use results in a rapid onset of uncomfortable symptoms.

Drinking while taking disulfiram can lead to symptoms like:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Sweating
• Headache

These effects can occur as rapidly as 10 minutes following a drink. According to the principles of behaviorism, this sudden onset of severe consequences will make it less likely for people to attempt to return to drinking and have an easier time achieving sobriety.

Naltrexone

Naltrexone is also used in the treatment of alcohol use disorders. While the primary drug action of alcohol is on GABA, alcohol also has effects on the body’s opioid system, and blocking the opioid receptors using naltrexone has been shown to substantially reduce alcohol intake and craving.

Other Substance Use Disorders

While alcohol and opioid use disorders have the most robust evidence of effective medications for achieving recovery, research is constantly ongoing to help people with other substance use disorders as well. Effective therapy techniques for sobriety play a crucial role in supporting recovery alongside medications. These therapeutic approaches can vary widely, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, motivational enhancement therapy, and mindfulness practices. By combining these techniques with ongoing medical support, individuals can build a solid foundation for lasting change. Building connections in recovery groups can enhance the sense of community and provide valuable peer support. These groups often create a safe space for individuals to share their experiences and learn from one another, fostering a sense of belonging. Such support systems are essential for maintaining motivation and accountability throughout the recovery journey.

One of the most promising avenues from recent research is the use of the antidepressant bupropion in combination with naltrexone in the treatment of methamphetamine use disorder. This drug combination can make it much easier for people to overcome meth addiction and provide substantial relief from lingering withdrawal symptoms.

While less is known about other types of addiction, naltrexone is often prescribed off-label in order to provide some relief. There is substantial evidence that naltrexone reduces cravings for all types of substance use disorders and may even help people break free from behavioral addictions, such as gambling, pornography, or kleptomania.

3 Myths About Medication-Assisted Recovery

As effective as medication-assisted recovery is, it has also seen its fair share of controversy. As a result, a number of myths have circulated about medication-assisted recovery that may be holding you back. Rest assured that the scientific consensus is firmly on the side of supporting this incredibly helpful treatment method. To further enhance your journey, it’s important to explore effective strategies for staying motivated during recovery. Engaging with a supportive community and setting achievable goals can help maintain your focus and enthusiasm. Remember that this is a personal journey, and finding what works best for you is key to long-term success.

1. Medication-Assisted Recovery Isn’t True Sobriety

One of the more common myths is that people who recover using medication-assisted recovery aren’t truly sober. This is mostly due to the mistaken belief that the medications used in medication-assisted recovery produce a euphoric high and that people who use this method are just “trading one drug for another.” Many individuals seeking help for substance abuse turn to alcohol rehabilitation centers in California for a holistic approach to recovery. These centers often provide a range of services, including therapy, support groups, and medical care, all tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual. By dispelling myths surrounding medication-assisted recovery, these facilities help redefine what it means to be truly sober.

This couldn’t be further from the truth. Medication-assisted recovery is designed to help treat the symptoms of substance use disorder without producing euphoric or addictive effects. rehab preparation tips for success can significantly enhance the chances of a smoother recovery process. By focusing on mental, emotional, and physical readiness, individuals can create a solid foundation for their rehabilitation journey. It’s crucial to establish a support system and set realistic goals to navigate the challenges ahead effectively. The impact of Vail Valley on recovery can be profound, offering a serene environment that fosters healing and reflection. Surrounded by nature, individuals often find peace and clarity, which can enhance their commitment to the recovery process. By engaging with local support groups and outdoor activities, they can further reinforce their journey toward lasting sobriety.

2. Medication-Assisted Recovery is Just a Prescription

Medication-assisted recovery is much more than just taking medication. Starting a medication-assisted recovery program means you will also engage in evidence-based therapy and treatment programs, all of which are designed to support you in maintaining your abstinence and building a healthier life in recovery. Many individuals benefit from transformative experiences in luxury rehab, which combine comprehensive therapeutic approaches with high-end accommodations and personalized care. These programs often incorporate holistic therapies, access to nature, and skilled professionals to ensure a supportive environment. By immersing themselves in such enriching settings, clients often find renewed motivation and deeper insights into their personal journeys of recovery.

3. You Need Medications for the Rest of Your Life

Medication-assisted recovery is not a lifetime sentence. The length of your treatment depends upon your personal preferences, the severity of your substance use disorder and symptoms, and careful consultation with a trained mental health expert. In many cases, individuals struggling with addiction can benefit from mental health support for addiction as part of their recovery process. This support can address underlying issues that contribute to substance use, helping to foster a more holistic approach to healing. By incorporating various therapeutic modalities, individuals can develop healthier coping strategies and build resilience against future challenges. Exploring inspirational quotes for recovery can also provide motivation and encouragement during difficult times. Many find that these words of wisdom resonate deeply, offering a light in moments of darkness. Surrounding oneself with positivity and inspiration can enhance the overall journey toward wellness.

While it is true that it’s not recommended that people stop medication-assisted recovery suddenly, if you do decide that you no longer want to take medications, your provider will help you develop a plan to slowly titrate off your medicine and monitor your progress along the way.

How to Start Medication-Assisted Recovery

When you’ve made the decision to take action to overcome a substance use disorder, starting medication-assisted recovery can be a valuable first step. Beginning treatment is as simple as reaching out to APN Lodge, which provides a comprehensive suite of addiction treatment services to fit each one of our client’s unique needs. One key aspect of effective drug addiction recovery strategies is establishing a strong support network with healthcare professionals and loved ones who understand the challenges of recovery. Additionally, incorporating therapy and counseling can significantly enhance one’s coping skills and resilience as they navigate the path to sobriety. At APN Lodge, we tailor our approach to empower individuals, equipping them with the tools they need to sustain long-term recovery.

We can help explain what treatment options are available to you and will be there to support you throughout your entire recovery journey. Reach out to the team at APN Lodge by completing our online contact form or calling us at 855-232-8217 to speak to one of our mental health experts directly. At APN Lodge, we offer comprehensive mental health programs at all points north lodge, designed to cater to a variety of needs. Our experienced professionals focus on creating a supportive environment where individuals can thrive and heal. Explore the different services we provide to find the right fit for your mental wellness journey.

References

• Connery, Hilary Smith MD, PhD. Medication-Assisted Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder: Review of the Evidence and Future Directions. Harvard Review of Psychiatry 23(2):p 63-75, March/April 2015. | DOI: 10.1097/HRP.0000000000000075
• Maisel, Natalya C et al. “Meta-analysis of naltrexone and acamprosate for treating alcohol use disorders: when are these medications most helpful?.” Addiction (Abingdon, England) vol. 108,2 (2013): 275-93. doi:10.1111/j.1360-0443.2012.04054.x
• “Medications for Substance Use Disorders.” SAMHSA, www.samhsa.gov/medications-substance-use-disorders. Accessed 15 June 2024.