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Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Addiction

It can be challenging to take the first step and get help with opioid addiction, which is why we want to make your treatment experience as comfortable as possible.

By using medication-assisted treatment (MAT) to get your cravings and withdrawal symptoms under control, we can help prevent you from relapsing on opioids.

MAT also gives you more freedom to focus your energy on improving other areas of your life, including your mental health, which our team will help you do one step at a time.

Phases of Medication-Assisted Treatment

Induction Phase
We start your program by giving you the first dose of methadone or buprenorphine at your treatment center. Depending on which medication we use, we may start you on a larger dose right away, or we may choose to increase your dose over a longer period of time. However, our medical providers will always work with you to make these decisions.

Stabilization Phase
As you continue to receive your medication every day from your treatment center, you will experience fewer cravings and a lessening of withdrawal symptoms over time. Finding relief from these physical side effects will help you feel more stable in recovery and allow you to engage in counseling and support services and get to the root of your opioid use.

Maintenance Phase
As you work with your treatment team to achieve a therapeutic medication dose and attend counseling sessions, the vision of living a healthier, hopeful lifestyle is attainable.

Advantages of Using Methadone for MAT

For more than 50 years, methadone has been used to help people just like you overcome opioid addiction. Evidence has shown that medication assisted treatment with methadone has high success rates when combined with counseling and support, along with providing these life-changing benefits:

Methadone is a full opioid agonist, which means it satisfies your brain and body’s need for opioids without the risks of abuse
Taking methadone can prevent you from feeling the physical withdrawal symptoms and cravings that may lead you to relapse
A dose of methadone lasts 24 to 36 hours, and daily visits to your treatment center for medication give you structure in recovery
Methadone does not lose its effectiveness at a certain dose, so it can treat fentanyl, heroin and high doses of prescription opioids
Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding can safely take methadone without harmful side effects to themselves or their babies

We offer methadone at all of our MedMark locations, and our team is here to help you decide if it is the best option for your medication-assisted treatment program.

Possible Side Effects of Methadone Treatment

Most of our patients who take methadone only experience mild side effects, but it is always best to talk with our team about any symptoms you are seeing. Methadone is like other medications, and it may take some time for us to find the right dose for you, so watch for side effects such as:

Cold or flu-like symptoms
Sweating
Weight gain
Nausea
Constipation
Headaches
Mood swings
Sleep issues

When you begin methadone, your medical provider will discuss potential drug interactions and precautions you should take to ensure your treatment is safe and effective.

Benefits of Buprenorphine Treatment

Buprenorphine and buprenorphine with naloxone (Suboxone) have been used for more than 20 years to help individuals find relief from opioid use. Like methadone, buprenorphine works best alongside counseling and support, and it offers advantages for medication assisted treatment:

Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist, which means it activates the opioid receptors in your brain to a lesser degree than methadone
Using buprenorphine can block the effects of other opioids, prevent cravings and reduce withdrawal symptoms to keep you from relapsing
As a long-acting medication, you may be able to start taking buprenorphine every other day after initially taking it on a daily basis
Buprenorphine can cause immediate side effects when it is misused, which can prevent you from overdosing or using it to feel high
Taking buprenorphine while pregnant or breastfeeding is much safer than continuing to use opioids or trying to stop on your own

Buprenorphine is available at select MedMark locations, and you can discuss it as an option for your MAT program during your first medical provider appointment.

Possible Side Effects of Buprenorphine Treatment

While our patients report that most of their buprenorphine side effects are mild, it is important to let your medical provider know if you are experiencing any symptoms so they can change your dose. Like other medications, buprenorphine may need to be adjusted if you see side effects like:

Headaches
Mood swings
Sleep issues
Upset stomach or vomiting
Constipation
Cold or flu-like symptoms
Sweating

Before you start buprenorphine, our team will talk to you about possible medication interactions and precautions to follow so you get the most out of your treatment.

Start Recovery From Addiction Now

If you are struggling with opioid use, we are confident that medication-assisted treatment can start you on the path to positive change. Our medical providers will work with you to figure out which medication and dose is best to begin with, and we will adjust your individual treatment plan as needed to ensure you succeed in recovery. Get in touch with your treatment center today to get your questions about MAT answered and start your treatment program with us.

Our Accreditation

All MedMark Treatment Centers locations are federally certified, state licensed, and accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) to provide medication assisted treatment for opioid addiction