Common Misconceptions About Medication Assisted Treatment Programs

Misconceptions About Medication Assisted Treatment Programs

If you or a loved one is struggling with substance abuse, you may have heard about medication assisted treatment programs as a potential tool for recovery. However, many misconceptions and myths surrounding these programs can prevent people from seeking the help they need.

Moreover, this blog post will address some of the most common misconceptions about medication-assisted treatment programs and provide evidence-based information to help set the record straight.

What Are Medication Assisted Treatment Programs?

Medication Assisted Treatment Programs

First, let’s define what we mean by “medication-assisted treatment program.” Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is a holistic addiction treatment. It uses medications, counseling, and behavioral therapies to help people with substance use disorders (SUDs) achieve and maintain recovery.

The medications used in MAT are approved by the FDA. These medications are safe and effective for treating substance use disorders. Some medications commonly used in MAT include methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone.

MAT is a proven, effective medication assisted treatment for addiction. However, many people don’t have access to quality care. Confidant Health is changing that. Confidant provides expert help for medication assisted treatment through our confidential and discreet app.

Now, let’s address some of the common misconceptions about MAT programs. Before searching for medication assisted treatment near me, it will be better to see which are the best nearby locations from your place.

Misconception 1: Medication-Assisted Treatment Programs Are Just Substituting One Addiction For Another

One of the most persistent misconceptions about medication-assisted treatment programs is that they substitute one addiction. The idea is that medications like methadone and buprenorphine replace one drug with another, and people who use them are not “sober.”

FACT: This is a misunderstanding of how medication-assisted treatment programs work. The medications used in medication assisted treatment are carefully prescribed and monitored by trained healthcare professionals. They help manage withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings, which can be powerful triggers for relapse.

Additionally, the medications used in MAT are designed to be long-acting. This means they do not produce the same “high” that people experience when using drugs like heroin or prescription opioids. This makes it less likely that people will misuse the medications or become addicted to them.

Research has consistently shown that medication-assisted treatment programs effectively reduce drug use and improve outcomes for people in recovery. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) notes that MAT “can help sustain recovery.”

Misconception 2: Medication-Assisted Treatment Programs Are Not Effective

Addiction Medicine

Another common misconception about medication-assisted treatment programs is that they are not effective. Some people believe that medications are just a “band-aid” solution that does not address the underlying issues contributing to addiction.

FACT: Studies have shown that medication-assisted treatment programs can significantly improve outcomes for people with opioid use disorders. For example, a 2018 study published in the Journal of Addiction Medicine found that people who received medication assisted treatments were more likely to remain on the treatment and achieve abstinence from opioids than those who did not receive any treatment and medication.

Moreover, opioid use disorder medication is often used with counseling and behavioral therapies, which can help people address the underlying issues that contribute to addiction. Medication-assisted treatment programs can help people achieve and maintain recovery by providing a more holistic approach to treatment.

Misconception 3: Medication-Assisted Treatment Programs Are Just A Way For Drug Companies To Make Money

Another common misconception about medication-assisted treatment programs is that they are just a way for drug companies to make money. Some people believe that the medications used in medication assisted treatment are overpriced and that the programs are being promoted by pharmaceutical companies solely for profit.

FACT: This is not an accurate portrayal of medication-assisted treatment programs like the 15-minute4me test. While it is true that pharmaceutical companies manufacture the medications used in MAT, they are not exclusively used for addiction treatment. Many medications used in MAT also have other medical uses.

Furthermore, the cost of medication-assisted treatment programs can be offset because they are often less expensive than other types of addiction treatment. For example, inpatient rehab programs can be costly, whereas medication-assisted treatment can be provided on an outpatient basis, which can be more affordable.

Misconception 4: Medication-Assisted Treatment Programs Are Just A Way To Get High Legally

Some people believe that medication assisted treatment programs are just a way to get high legally. They may think that the medications used in MAT produce a similar euphoric effect as illegal drugs and that people are just using them to continue their addiction in a more socially acceptable way.

FACT: As we mentioned earlier, the medications used in MAT are designed to be long-acting and do not produce the same “high” as drugs like heroin or prescription opioids. While it’s true that some people may misuse their medications or use them in ways that are not prescribed, this is not the norm.

Additionally, healthcare professionals will closely monitor people participating in medication-assisted treatment programs. They can detect any misuse or diversion of medications. If someone misuses their medications, they may be tapered off or removed from the program.

Dispelling Misconceptions About Medication-Assisted Treatment Programs: Why They Are a Valuable Tool for Substance Abuse Recovery

Medication assisted treatment programs are a valuable option for addressing substance abuse. It can help people achieve and maintain recovery from this debilitating condition. Unfortunately, there are misconceptions and stigmas surrounding these programs. These misbeliefs can prevent individuals from seeking the appropriate help they need.

However, we can help break down these barriers by understanding the facts about MAT programs. We’ll be able to ensure that everyone who needs help for substance abuse can access the right care. Remember, medication-assisted treatment programs are an evidence-based approach to addiction treatment. It is a science-backed treatment option that can help improve outcomes and save many lives.

Medication-assisted treatment programs are valuable for addressing substance abuse. And helping people achieve and maintain recovery. Unfortunately, many misconceptions and myths surrounding these programs can prevent people from seeking the help they need.

Bottomline

By understanding the facts about medication assisted treatment programs, we can help break down these barriers and ensure that everyone who needs help for substance abuse can access the care they need. Remember, medication-assisted treatment programs are an evidence-based approach to addiction treatment that can help improve outcomes and save lives.

Additionals:

Abdul Aziz Mondol is a professional blogger who is having a colossal interest in writing blogs and other jones of calligraphies. In terms of his professional commitments, he loves to share content related to business, finance, technology, and the gaming niche.

View all posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related

Foot Pain

Improve Your Feet Health: 5 Simple Tips For Preventing Foot Pain

We are likely to walk over 100,000 miles over the course of our entire lifetime. Yes, it's like circling the earth 4 times at the equator. Although our feet are really important, it is still one of the most neglected body parts. Have you been feeling foot pain recently? It is not always the result of you having over-walked or overworked. There can be a lot of reasons for that. The best news is that you will get a lot of podiatric solutions in Podologo Santo Domingo and soothe your foot pain. Simple Tips For Preventing Foot Pain And Improve Your Health Here, we are providing you with some great tips using which you will be able to prevent foot pain or improve the health of your foot. Let's start now. Tip No. 1: Stay At A Healthy Weight Well, your feet are bearing the weight of your entire body. To be honest, the more weight your feet need to support, the harder your feet need to work. So, you need to keep an eye on your weight, which means cutting down your weight. You necessarily do not have to carry a lot of extra weight in order to feel an impact on your ankles and feet. Only 20 pounds is enough to change the way your foot functions. It increases the force on your feet and eventually triggers pain. Tip No. 2: Boost Your Flexibility With growing age, your calf muscles might tighten. It always puts more stress on the balls of your feet. Here, what you can do is stretch your calves on a regular basis. It actually can go a long way when it comes to preventing foot pain. Here, in Podologo Santo Domingo, we will strongly recommend the following stretch at least 3 times a day. First, stand with your toes on a step and keep your heels off the edge.Slowly lower both your heels down and hold that position for at least 10 seconds and then lift your heels to the initial higher position.Now repeat this same thing 5 to 10 times. Never force your heels father what it wants to go. In case this particular movement is too much for both of your feet at the same time, do one foot at a time. Tip No. 3: Kick Your High-Heel Habit Wearing a pair of heels might upgrade your outfit, but at the same time, they also can wreak havoc on your feet. The study has found that it only takes 1 hour of wearing heels for the pain to kick in. That means you also do not need to wear them longer to suffer the pain. When you are squeezing your feet into those pointy-toed heels, you are actually attracting the risks for a huge number of things, from ingrown toenails, blisters, and bunions to back pain, deformed toes, and shortened calf muscles. If you are already suffering from ingrown nails and other issues, Podologo Santo Domingo can help you a lot. Tip No. 4: Wear Shoes That Fit There are a lot of people who wear the same size of shoes for a considerable amount of time. We never even thought of getting our feet measured. With your age, your feet are also changing shape, and that is why tightening footwear can lead to a lot of things, Ingrown toenails.Calluses.Corns.Bunions.Deformed toes.Heel pain. If you have to measure your feet recently, do not even think about buying shoes on the internet. Also, stop wearing those tight shoes now. It is damaging your feet. And To reduce foot pain contact Podologo Santo Domingo. Tip No. 5: Stay Hydrated Foot pain can always come on all of a sudden and be really painful. Apart from all the things that we have mentioned above, a dietary imbalance and dehydration can be two more reasons why you are feeling pain in your foot. So, always make sure that you are drinking plenty of fluids, especially when you are exercising. In addition to that, low potassium levels can be the reason for your foot pain. So, include spinach and bananas in your diet. Read Also: The Best Way In Relaxing Your FeetA Quick but Helpful Guide to Running With Flat FeetWhy Jumping on Trampolines is More Beneficial than Running or Jogging?

READ MOREDetails
Integrative Therapy

Integrating Therapy And Activities In Residential Treatment

The integration of therapy and activities in residential treatment facilities is a pivotal aspect of modern mental health care. This approach combines traditional therapeutic methods with various activities, enhancing the effectiveness of treatment and providing a more holistic recovery experience for residents. In residential treatment settings, therapy remains the cornerstone of the recovery process. This typically involves a combination of individual and group therapy sessions, utilizing various psychotherapeutic techniques and other evidence-based practices. These therapies are designed to address the underlying causes of mental health issues, helping residents develop coping mechanisms and better understand their conditions. Integrating activities alongside therapy adds a crucial dimension to the treatment process. Activities in residential treatment facilities can range from physical exercise, such as yoga or swimming, to creative endeavors like art or music therapy. These activities are not merely recreational; they are carefully chosen for their therapeutic benefits. For instance, physical activities can help reduce anxiety and depression symptoms, while creative therapies offer a non-verbal outlet for expression and emotional exploration. One significant benefit of integrating activities into treatment is the enhancement of therapy effectiveness. Engaging in activities can help residents apply and reinforce the skills learned in therapy sessions. For example, participating in a group sport can improve social skills and teamwork, reflecting the interpersonal skills taught in group therapy. Another advantage is the promotion of a holistic approach to wellness. Mental health is intrinsically linked to physical and emotional well-being. Activities like mindfulness meditation or nutritional workshops contribute to overall health, which is crucial for mental health recovery. These activities encourage residents to adopt healthier lifestyles, which can have long-lasting benefits beyond their time in the facility. The diverse array of available activities further enhances the personalization of the treatment experience. Recognizing that residents have unique interests and respond differently to various activities, offering a wide range of options ensures that each resident can discover activities that deeply resonate with them.  This approach not only tailors the treatment experience to individual preferences but also boosts resident engagement and enjoyment, fostering a more meaningful and effective recovery journey. The variety of activities becomes a dynamic tool in creating a therapeutic environment that accommodates diverse needs and promotes holistic well-being. Incorporating activities into residential treatment also fosters a sense of community and belonging among residents. Participating in group activities builds camaraderie and support, essential elements in the recovery journey. It creates opportunities for residents to form meaningful connections with others who share similar experiences. Moreover, these activities provide practical skills and hobbies that residents can continue after leaving the facility. Skills learned through activities such as gardening, cooking, or painting can be valuable tools for stress management and self-care in daily life. Integrating therapy and activities in residential treatment offers a comprehensive approach to mental health recovery. This integration enhances the effectiveness of traditional therapies, promotes holistic wellness, allows for personalization of the treatment experience, builds community, and equips residents with practical skills for life post-treatment. What Is Integrative Therapy? Academics have argued that psychotherapy and psychology are essentially different. According to them, treatment takes a backseat because of the insistent modalities. We define ourselves in a certain way and set up “false dichotomies when, in practice, we routinely straddle multiple approaches.”  Integration is a term that suggests the bringing together of things. When dealing with clients, it suggests that we adapt to both the needs of clients and their context by blending fragmented theoretical frameworks as well as their methods.  Human beings are complex, and they bring unique hopes, needs, and challenges to therapy. A therapist's chief challenge lies in attempting to make an honest integrative therapy that amalgamates different philosophical commitments, assumptions, and values. They must also admit that not all of these practices and theories can be compatible.  So, when integrative therapists treat their clients, they must consider the what, how, and when of integration. This would typically involve one of the four potential approaches.  Theoretical integration: Transcends the individual models by making a single model Technical eclecticism: Combines the effective bits of different approaches Assimilative integration: Works mainly in a single model whole, also integrating several aspects of other approaches Common factors: Focuses on the right practices as well as elements from all approaches  History of Integrated Therapy Human interest in therapeutic integration dates back as far as Freud and the contemporaries of the father of psychology in the early 1900s. Sandor Ferenczi, a relational psychoanalyst from Hungary, wrote a paper in 1933. He argued that instead of staying too true to the stereotypical techniques, we must take our cues from the patient and adopt the most suitable approach at a time in the best interest of the patient.  Aaron Beck claimed in 1991 that cognitive behavioral therapy could actually be integrative therapy. He said that because of the broad sweep of psychology and the resulting integration of different technical procedures, cognitive therapy is integrative therapy.  It is possible that we can challenge his claims today, but CBT is a prime example of the combination of two or more approaches. In that case, the awareness of the client’s belief system going through a change can improve the therapist’s efforts on their behavioral change.  Holistic Therapy and Integrative Therapy Partnerships The combination of integrative therapy and holistic therapy has repeatedly proved to be effective and valuable in palliative care. It helps clients deal with their discomfort, pain, anguish, and fear related to their past, present, and future. When traditional Western medicine cannot help the chronically and terminally ill, treatments like imagery, therapies, and meditation, along with psychotherapy, tend to offer hope for them. Their needs for peace and calm at nearly the end of their lives are met with a lot of help.  Other approaches, when combined with integrated psychotherapies, get into the details of theology, spirituality, religion, and existential motives.  Wrapping Up Integrated therapy offers a strong and flexible approach to psychotherapy that addresses each client’s complex as well as unique needs. It aims to help create a comprehensive framework that will prioritize effective dialogue between different approaches by bringing together techniques and theories from various psychological models.  Read Also: Ketamine Therapy: A New Hope For Treating Depression And Anxiety What Is Thinspo? | Impact On Physical And Mental Health Psychedelic Therapy for Mental Health Conditions

READ MOREDetails
skin care

How To Safely And Effectively Clear Your Complexion

One of the most common things we notice with people aside from their smile is their skin. They say that the skin says a lot about a person's health--and that is true. When our complexion is not clear as we'd like it to be, there may be other underlying problems such as hormonal imbalances, poor hygiene, or lifestyle changes we need to address. According to dermatologists, the complexion is an important part of not just our physical well-being, but it also gives us a gauge of how we perceive ourselves. Having a clear complexion helps us to: Feel confident about ourselves - we don't have to feel embarrassed about our skin condition. When our skin is clear, we feel more confident about ourselves and are less self-conscious about our appearance. Helps us in career and other lifestyle choices - when we make big decisions in life, we want to be as presentable as possible. Having clear skin also helps us to achieve well as we make big choices in our career. Gives us an overall sense of well-being - poor skin complexion is a gateway to more infections in the body. Since acne and psoriasis can also be sites of open wounds, it might be an entry point for infection. Having clear skin steers us away from this risk. As we understand the benefits of having clear skin, this article gives us additional ways to help clear our complexion in simple and effective ways. How To Safely And Effectively Clear Your Complexion 1. Drink plenty of water : As with any health problem, drinking enough water can work wonders for your skin. Most of the problems with psoriasis and acne stem from the skin lacking moisture. As a result, it can be more prone to irritation due to dryness. The dryness may create extra sebum, which in turn causes infection in people who are suffering from acne. Additionally, those who suffer from psoriasis may have difficulties curbing the skin problem when they are in dry weather conditions. Drinking 8-10 glasses of water a day can help supplement your skin with moisture that it needs to prevent further flare-ups. 2. Have a good skin regimen : There are some instances where soap and water on your face and body won't do the trick. You have to adopt a regimen that works for your skin. The most common step to do this is to identify a gentle wash, a toner, and a moisturizer for your skin. You can also add treatment for blemishes or flare-up spots. To help you decide better, you can ask the help of a dermatologist to give you advice on what products you can include in your regimen. The skin regimen should be consistently followed, or else you'll run the risk of having further infections. 3. Take skin medications : Aside from having a usual regimen, your dermatologist may also give your prescriptions for skin medications such as Tazorac. Tazorac is a vitamin A derivative drug which can help cure symptoms of psoriasis and acne. Additionally, you can also find Tazorac price discounts online on websites such as Singletary. You may use the Tazorac price discount voucher at participating drug stores in your area. These medications may be given if you have moderate to severe types of skin conditions. Just like your normal skincare regimen, you need to apply them consistently and as recommended. 4. Eat wholesome foods : There's a saying that goes "you are what you eat", however, the saying "your skin shows what you eat", is also true as well. Cut out junk food in your diet, as oils and other chemicals found in burgers, fries, pizza, and chips may cause you to break out with more blemishes. Too much milk and sugar can also cause skin problems as well, as they have the tendency to block out skin pores. Eat wholesome foods such as lean fish, green tea, and other healthy types of smoothies instead. These foods have skin-clearing properties that are even used as the main ingredient in some skin products. Read Also : 10 Foods For Vibrant, Glowing And Younger Skin Effects Of Sleep Deprivation On Your Skin & Good Sleeping Habits 7 Tips For People With Hypersensitive Skin

READ MOREDetails