When looking into treatment options, you may feel overwhelmed by all of the different methods for getting clean. Something you may come across is the acronym MAT, which stands for medication-assisted treatment. If you’re researching this option, you should understand the medication-assisted treatment pros and cons. The best addiction recovery resource center will provide you with the choice of treatment with or without medication, so you’re in control.
Medication Assisted Treatment Pros and Cons: Physical Aspects
One of the primary reasons people turn to MAT is for when they’re going through the symptoms of withdrawal. There are medication-assisted treatment pros and cons when it comes to detox, which you should know. The symptoms of withdrawal can be so harsh that many people relapse, but you don’t always have to detox with medications. Depending on the substance you’re using, the symptoms of withdrawal can include the following:
- Aches and pains
- Nausea
- Anxiety
- Seizures
- Depression
With MAT, your symptoms of withdrawal will be significantly reduced throughout the process. There are various medications designed to help trick the brain into thinking you’re still using the substance. Although these medications are non-narcotics, some people choose to go through detox without them. If you decide not to use MAT for detox, other more holistic methods can help you get through withdrawal safely.
Medication Assisted Treatment Pros and Cons: In Recovery
One of the leading causes of addiction is due to mental illness, and many medications can help in this situation. To stay clean, one of the best things you can do is keep your mental health under control. There is an assortment of medications that can help with anxiety, depression, mood swings, and much more. These non-narcotic medications can be an excellent choice when you want to experience long-term recovery.
Of course, some people don’t want to rely on medications to maintain their sobriety. This is extremely common for those who are trying to recover from prescription drug addiction. Luckily, at Arizona detox centers, various forms of therapy can help you overcome your symptoms of mental illness. Through therapy with a licensed professional, you’ll learn different coping skills to live a happy life without medications.
Getting Help for Your Addiction
Now that you know the medication-assisted treatment pros and cons, it’s time to make a decision. A high-quality Arizona addiction recovery center can help you decide whether a medication-assisted treatment program is right for you or not. The first step in the recovery process is to give you a full psychological and physical evaluation. From here, clinicians will explain the pros and cons of using MAT for your specific situation and help you make the right choice. Whatever you choose to do, professionals will be there with you every step of the way. You should also seek an environment of peer support in treatment because it’s vital that you see that you’re not alone. You’ll meet other young people who are looking to better their lives by living clean and sober.
Some of the therapeutic methods you should look for include the following and more:
- Dual diagnosis treatment
- EMDR therapy
- Family therapy
- Group therapy
To learn more about medication-assisted treatment pros and cons, reach out to an addiction treatment center today.