Drug & Alcohol - Medically Assisted Treatment

Описание: One of the many services that PA Health Management's Drug and Alcohol Program provides is MAT, which stands for Medically Assisted Treatment.

Medication assisted treatment (MAT) is the use of medications, in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies, to provide a “whole-patient” approach to the treatment of substance use disorders. This treatment is beneficial in so many ways for people who may be struggling with addictions to substances such as opioids and alcohol.

MAT is primarily used for the treatment of addiction to opioids such as heroin and prescription pain relievers that contain opiates. The prescribed medication operates to normalize brain chemistry, block the euphoric effects of alcohol and opioids, relieve physiological cravings, and normalize body functions without the negative and euphoric effects of the substance used.

In 2018, an estimated 2 million people had an opioid use disorder which includes prescription pain medication containing opiates and heroin. MAT has proved to be clinically effective and to significantly reduce the need for inpatient detoxification services for these individuals. MAT provides a more comprehensive, individually tailored program of medication and behavioral therapy that address the needs of most patients.