5 Tips for Staying Sober
You’ve done the work to become clean and sober, and you want to do what you can to stay that way. Here are five great tips that will help you safeguard your freedom from a substance use disorder.
Misconceptions About Medically Assisted Treatment
Opioids continue to be one of the leading causes of death in the United States. They affect many groups of people, across all demographics, and have become one of the most talked about issues in our time. In the midst of this, treating opioid dependency has become an issue of its own. With a dangerous withdrawal period and extremely high relapse rate, healthcare professionals have had to get creative with the ways they treat this condition. One innovation in this field of treatment has been the development of medically-assisted treatment (MAT). Many clinicians view medically-assisted treatment as the most effective evidence based approach when it comes to treating opioid use disorder. However, along with the increasing prevalence of this treatment method there have also been misconceptions or myths that developed as well. It is important to address some of these misconceptions so that people do not feel a stigma when it comes to their treatment.
Myth 1: MAT is Only for People Who Can’t Get Sober on Their Own
This myth asserts that medically assisted treatment is some sort of “crutch” or “last resort” for those who lack the willpower to achieve sobriety on their own
The Facts: MAT is a Clinically Proven Option, Not a Last Resort
- Addiction is a chronic disease, not a lack of willpower or moral failing. As such, it is normal to treat this disease with medications just as you would any other.
- Research has shown that treatment utilizing medication is associated with a significant reduction in all causes of mortality. With this in mind, it is nonsensical to treat people who want to utilize a safe and proven treatment pathway with contempt for doing so.
Myth 2: MAT is Just Trading One Addiction For Another
This myth is a common and extremely damaging one when it comes to the social stigma about medically assisted treatment; Suggesting that using FDA approved medications, such as methadone or buprenorphine, in the manner for which they are intended is no different than other illicit opioids.
The Facts: MAT is Medical Treatment, Not Addiction
- The difference between addiction and treatment lies in the medication’s effect on the brain as well as a patient’s quality of life.
- Addiction can be characterized by compulsive drug seeking behaviors and continued use despite negative consequences. Medically assisted treatment is used to stabilize a person’s brain chemistry and remove some of the potentially harmful effects associated with opioid withdrawal. Without this stabilization it can be difficult to return to normal functioning.
Myth 3: You Have to be on MAT Forever
This misconception asserts that a person who undergoes medically assisted treatment would have to stay on those medications for the rest of their life. It is also commonly associated with the previously discussed myth that MAT is just trading one addiction for another.
The Facts: Treatment Duration is Individualized and Based on Clinically Informed Decision Making
- The duration of a person’s medically assisted treatment is based on information and decisions made between the patient and healthcare provider; as it would be for any other illness.
- For many people medically assisted treatment serves as a bridge to another stage in their recovery journey. Once a patient has achieved stability and has a strong support system, they may choose to safely taper off any medication under medical supervision. It is important to remember that these decisions are based on sound clinical decision making and not an arbitrary timeline.
It is important to remember that, just as with any illness, recovery from opioid use disorder is a journey with many components and steps. Medically assisted treatment is meant to bridge a gap; used in tandem with various forms of therapy and support. If you or a loved one are experiencing opioid use disorder, please contact our office to set up a consultation.
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