Medication-Assisted Treatment
in Spring Branch
Early on, there were many opposed to the idea of providing medications to a person struggling with addiction because they figured it was trading one addiction for another. However, now with decades of proof showing the effectiveness of medication-assisted treatment (MAT), the thoughts have shifted to “How do we make this more accessible?”
At Ripple Ranch Recovery Center, we believe providing a well-rounded MAT program to some of our clients is a must. Contact us if you are searching for medication-assisted treatment in Spring Branch, TX.
What is Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)?
What Medications Are Included in MAT?
Brand name buprenorphine medications include:
- Suboxone (combined with naloxone)
- Subutex
- Butrans
- Sublocade
- Belbuca
Brand name naltrexone medications include:
- Vivitrol
- ReVia
- Depade
- Contrave (combined with bupropion)
Brand name naloxone mediations include:
- Suboxone (combined with buprenorphine)
- Narcan
- Evzio
- Kloxxado
How Do Medication-Assisted Treatment Drugs Work?
Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist, meaning it cancels out the effects of opioids. This means if you were to take naltrexone and then take an opioid painkiller or drink alcohol, you would not experience the high related to the drugs. Naloxone, similar to Naltrexone, cancels out the effects of opioids. Buprenorphine and naloxone are often combined for a fuller effect, most notably in the brand name drug Suboxone.
Do the MAT medications cure me?
To reach long-term recovery, successful MAT programming must include the following:
- Medication
- Evidence-based behavioral therapy
- Relapse prevention
- Education
- Life-skills training
Without therapy and the other components listed above, it will be incredibly difficult to reach long-term recovery. Regardless, the drugs used in MAT are effective in stopping the symptoms of opioid withdrawal.
Do I Qualify for MAT?
Upon entering treatment, a client will receive an intake evaluation from a mental health professional.
This evaluation will help in determining if MAT is the correct path for you.
The goals of the evaluation are to adequately diagnose a substance use disorder, determine the severity of the addiction the client is facing, and assess for the possibility of a co-occurring mental health disorder.
Once this is complete, the professional will determine if a client is a good candidate for the MAT program.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), a person is a suitable candidate for MAT if they:
- Have received a diagnosis of opioid or alcohol addiction
- Have a willingness to follow all provided instructions
- Have no physical health problems that would be aggravated by the medications prescribed
- Have been educated on other forms of treatment
At the same time, SAMHSA states that a person can be a poor candidate because of any of the following:
- A history of medication misuse
- Addiction to a substance that cannot be treated with medications
- A severe physical limitation such as heart or lung disease
- Lack of commitment to a program
Regardless of the lists above, it’s important to reach out if you think MAT could benefit you. A medical professional will be able to properly address these things with you.
Does Insurance Cover MAT?
All insurance companies are different, so this is hard to answer. At Ripple Ranch Recovery, we work with, and are in-network with, Christus Health Plan, Cigna, Magellan Health, BlueCross BlueShield, Aetna, and First Health Network. If you do not see your insurance company listed, contact us to discuss further options.
