Part of the “Little Cities of Hope” Series
By Jac’lyn Bera and Sabrina Carter Rn, MSN, FNP-BC
Addiction, substance use and the opioid epidemic; these are phrases and words that hold a great deal of meaning and impact within the lives of individuals across the state of Utah and the United States of America. While the discussion on the effects of substance abuse is not news, the treatments available for Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) often are.
As we decrease the stigma surrounding the treatment of SUD/OUD, more and more treatment options come into the light, allowing those whom are working toward recovery to use a variety of tools to heal. One such treatment option is Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT), and it is leading the way for long-term recovery.
MAT is a multi-part method that applies the benefits of behavioral therapy and medication to improve the treatment of SUD/OUD. Currently, Methadone, Buprenorphine and Naltrexone are the commonly-approved forms of medication used in MAT. Methadone is known as a full agonist, which means it binds fully to receptors in the brain, and is a medication that produces similar effects to opioids but allows for controlled tapering of usage, which aids in reducing harsh withdrawal symptoms and can be used for longer periods of time. Buprenorphine is a partial agonist, which means that, like opioids, it produces similar effects, but it has a ceiling effect that inhibits the sensations after a certain point, even if dosage increases. Naltrexone is a powerful antagonist. meaning that it selfishly binds and blocks opioid receptors in the brain, avoiding the addictive high and reducing opioid cravings.
Because of the aversive nature of withdrawal symptoms, for some individuals the option of slowly tapering a dosage is appealing to people in recovery and allows individuals that chance to adjust to life in recovery at a safe pace. Others are ready for complete sobriety and prefer not to be on Methadone or Buprenorphine long-term. There is no single treatment style for SUD/OUD.
Everyone’s path to recovery is different, MAT is often a great resource that can be tailored to the needs of those involved in treatment. A point that is often overlooked when discussing the use of medication in SUD/OUD treatment is that MAT is focused on using medication to “assist” in the treatment and recovery process. This means that the medication element of MAT is only a fraction of the solution. When implemented alongside therapy (group or individual), MAT has been shown to increase the amount of time people remain in recovery. Through guidance and therapy, people in recovery are able to identify triggers and helpful resolutions to those stressful situations. These treatment options are available in our community. Ask your provider if they offer such treatment. If not, they can direct you to someone who does.