Medication Assisted Treatment

Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)
Princeton, New Jersey

At Princeton Detox & Recovery Center we offer medication assisted treatment as one of our our inpatient detox services in in Princeton, New Jersey. We utilize medication in our facility to ease the pain of withdrawal in a comfortable, homestyle setting with round-the-clock medical support. Our first priority is to make detox as safe and comfortable as possible. We understand how daunting the withdrawal process can be. You might be ready to get sober; you might even be willing to do whatever it takes. Still, the thought of experiencing the inevitable mental and physical discomfort of withdrawal might be enough to keep you stuck in the vicious cycle of addiction. Princeton Detox & Recovery Center can help. Be detoxing at our center you can avoid the pain of withdrawal and get on the road to recovery. Contact us today to learn more.

What is Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)?

Medication assisted treatment, also known as MAT, refers to the use of FDA-approved medications to assist with the detox and addiction recovery process. In the majority of cases MAT is used during the withdrawal phase of the recovery process, though certain medications can be beneficial later on depending on the unique needs of the individual. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, MAT is only beneficial when combined with intensive behavioral therapy, 12 Step program involvement and holistic treatment methods.

The utilization of certain medications is particularly beneficial for those who have been struggling with an opioid abuse disorder, a benzodiazepine abuse disorder or alcoholism. At Princeton Detox & Recovery Center we stay up-to-date on the most beneficial and effective treatment options, consistently delivering an unmatched level of clinical care. While we do believe in providing our clients with the coping mechanisms and life skills they need to remain sober on their own, we also believe in the benefits of MAT  — especially when it comes to undergoing a safe and comfortable drug and/or alcohol withdrawal.

Benefits of Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)

Medication assisted treatment has been proven to:

• Alleviate the More Severe Symptoms of Drug and Alcohol Withdrawal – Clients who have been abusing a chemical substance for a prolonged period of time are more likely to experience potentially dangerous withdrawal symptoms, including seizures and stroke. Certain medications have been proven to safely eliminate the risk of serious health complications while making the overall detoxification process more comfortable.
• Improve Patient Survival Rates – Men and women who utilize medication assisted treatment as part of a more comprehensive treatment program have higher rates of success in long-term sobriety and lower rates of relapse and overdose related death. This is partially because the psychological drug cravings that lead to relapse are minimized.
• Improve a Client’s Ability to Focus on Recovery – At Princeton Detox & Recovery Center we believe that intensive therapeutic treatment should begin as early as the first stage in the treatment process, which is often in medically monitored detox. We have found that clients who are not grappling with intense drug cravings or severe symptoms of withdrawal are able to better take advantage of the other therapeutic services we offer. These services include individual therapy, group therapy and family therapy. We also offer case management services and aftercare planning for those looking to immediately transition into the next appropriate level of care once physical stabilization has been achieved.

What Medications Do We Use?

When it comes to drug and alcohol withdrawal, associated symptoms look different depending on several factors, including:

• What type of substances were being abused.
• The severity of the substance abuse disorder.
• Whether or not any underlying mental health concerns are present.
• Whether or not any chronic health issues are present.
• The age, gender and body type of the person who is undergoing withdrawal.

In most instances our clients experience standard withdrawal symptoms like insomnia, physical discomfort and strong drug and/or alcohol cravings. We often prescribe a combination of sleep aids and over-the-counter pain relievers to combat the more common symptoms of withdrawal. However, if a client has been battling a substance abuse disorder which directly involves alcohol, benzodiazepines or opioid narcotics like heroin, fentanyl or prescription painkillers, we might implement additional MAT options.

Medications Used for Medication Assisted Treatment:

• Benzodiazepine Withdrawal – In the case of moderate or severe benzo addiction we often use a benzo taper which is implemented and closely monitored by a medical professional. Quitting benzos cold turkey can result in a range of serious and potentially life-threatening symptoms including grand mal seizures. By slowly reducing the amount of the drug present in the system, the more serious symptoms of withdrawal can be effectively avoided. A 25 percent weekly reduction is recommended for those who take an appropriate amount of benzo medication on a regular basis. When it comes to tapering schedules following a long-term benzo abuse disorder, a smaller weekly reduction is generally required.
• Alcohol Withdrawal – The symptoms associated with alcohol withdrawal can pose serious health-related threats if they are not adequately treated. Some of the more severe symptoms of alcohol withdrawal include seizures, auditory and visual hallucinations and delirium tremens. We use benzodiazepines for alcohol withdrawal whenever necessary. Medications like lorazepam, diazepam and chlordiazepoxide have been heavily researched for the effective treatment of alcohol withdrawal symptoms, and are considered safe when used in the context of medical detox. For our liver compromised patients, we use Serax, which is gentler on the liver.
• Opioid Withdrawal – At Princeton Detox & Recovery Center we use Suboxone or Subutex for opioid withdrawal, in addition to clonidine in some instances. Both Suboxone and Subutex are buprenorphine-based medications, used to alleviate the more severe symptoms of opioid withdrawal while reducing psychological drug cravings. They are opioid partial agonists which partially satisfy the brain’s need for opioids, thus reducing withdrawal symptoms without getting the patient high. Clonidine is an antihypertensive medication which has proven effective for the treatment of severe opioid withdrawal symptoms. Clonidine works by blocking certain chemicals in the brain which trigger the sympathetic nervous system.

Additional Addiction Services

In addition to medication assisted treatment options, we offer the following addiction services:

• Individual, Group & Family Therapy – At Princeton Detox & Recovery Center we believe therapeutic intervention should begin during the first stage of the recovery process. We offer individual therapy sessions geared towards helping clients identify their personal recovery goals, group therapy sessions focused on a range of recovery-related topics and family therapy sessions whenever possible.
• Intervention Services – At Princeton Detox & Recovery Center we offer intervention services to help families confront their addicted loved one in the most effective, compassionate way possible. We have an impressive track record when it comes to helping get reluctant individuals to commit to treatment.
• Dual Diagnosis Treatment Options – Because mental illness and addiction so frequently go hand-in-hand, we offer dual diagnosis options for clients with untreated or undiagnosed mental health concerns. Our psychiatric professionals have extensive experience working with clients who have been struggling with anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• Addiction Assessments – Medical detox is not a one-size-fits-all process, and individualized care is extremely important. Upon admission to our Colorado detox center each client undergoes a detailed assessment which helps the clinical team determine which MAT options are the best fit for each unique case. The assessment also helps case managers develop personalized aftercare plans.
• Case Management Services – Each one of our clients is paired up with a case manager who serves as a client advocate and the main point of contact between the clinical team and the client’s loved ones. Case managers help develop aftercare plans based on the unique needs of each individual client.
• Relapse Prevention Training – At Princeton Detox & Recovery Center we believe medical detox should be a one-time experience, and relapse prevention training is an important part of every stage of the recovery process. Clients learn to identify and work through potential relapse triggers and identify personal warning signs.
• Personalized Aftercare Planning – For many, medical detox is only the first step on the road to recovery. Many clients choose to transition into the next appropriate level of clinical care, which might be residential rehab, partial hospitalization or intensive outpatient treatment. We offer aftercare planning services with a focus on continuing care.

Begin Your Recovery Journey

The unfortunate truth is many people who are in desperate need of professional help avoid seeking treatment because they are afraid of undergoing withdrawal. Attempting to detox on your own can be an extremely unpleasant experience. In fact, detoxing in a home setting can also be dangerous and can easily lead to serious health-related consequences.

At Princeton Detox & Recovery Center we are dedicated to providing each and every one of our clients with the most comfortable detox experience possible. MAT alleviates the more severe withdrawal symptoms and allows clients to rest, relax and take full advantage of the recovery services we provide. If clients are feeling up to it they are encouraged to participate in recovery meetings, therapeutic group workshops, individual therapy sessions and communal meals and activities. They are also welcome to simply relax in their well-appointed bedrooms as they prepare to take the next appropriate step on their personal journeys of long-term recovery.

Our case managers and clinical team work together to ensure the transition into a higher level of care is as seamless as possible. When you or your loved one is ready to ask for help, Princeton Detox & Recovery Center will be here. Our admissions process is simple and straightforward and can be completed in as little as 15 minutes. We will provide a complimentary pre-assessment, free, no obligation insurance benefit check and help coordinate local travel to our New Jersey detox facility. All you or your loved one has to do is ask for help, and we will take care of the rest.