There are different programs for anyone struggling with substance abuse, and the right treatment is the one that leads to the highest rate of long-term recovery. One of those options is MAT. But what does MAT mean in rehab?
What is MAT?
MAT stands for “medically assisted treatment.” This can include medications, counseling, and support from loved ones. MAT is used to treat cases of serious drug abuse, usually prescription opioid addiction. MAT can help you:
- Stop using the drug
- Manage your withdrawal symptoms
- Cope with your cravings long term
So what does MAT mean in Rehab?
It means a comprehensive and highly individualized program designed to treat your opioid addiction. This type of treatment is usually used for all opioid addiction, including prescription opiates and heroin.
- The therapy part of your treatment will include different behavioral therapies or individual counseling to help you overcome your addiction.
- The medication part will help you overcome your physiological cravings and normalize your body function and brain chemistry, which has been likely altered because of drug abuse. Many different medications are used during this process, depending on the opioid to which you are addicted.
Is MAT Right For Me?
Now that you know what MAT means in rehab, you need to determine whether it is the right treatment choice.
There are many benefits associated with medically assisted treatment:
- You have increased treatment retention, which means you are more likely to start and finish your treatment program rather than quit halfway through and have to start over again in the future.
- There’s an improved survival rate. Opioids can cause serious withdrawal symptoms that can lead to medical complications, seizures, even death. But medically supervised treatment with medications to help you wean yourself from your opioids can avoid these complications.
- You have a higher chance of improved birth rates if you’re pregnant, decrease criminal activity after you finish your treatment related to substance abuse, and an increased chance of getting a new job, keeping that job, and otherwise enjoying a healthier and happier life.
What to Look for in a MAT Rehab Center
When you are evaluating different rehabilitation programs, look for:
Treatment Programs
Treatment programs are the first thing you want to look for. A MAT rehab center will have treatment programs that specifically target opioid addiction. Tangentially you want to make sure that licensed medical professionals oversee the treatment programs and that they use different medications to help you with your symptom management during the detox process.
Dual Diagnosis
You might want to consider a facility that specializes in dual diagnosis. This means they can treat more than one addiction or addiction and a mental health problem at the same time. Most people are not just addicted to one substance and most people who are addicted have other struggles that need to be identified and fixed.
Amenities
Look for rehabilitation centers with specialized detox programs for opioid abuse and follow-through treatment options like counseling, family therapy, and holistic therapies, including walks on the beach, yoga, meditation, art therapy, or even equine therapy.
Residential or Outpatient
Finally, look for rehab centers that offer residential or inpatient programs as well as outpatient programs. For opioid abuse, you will need a facility that helps you not just with the initial detox but with long-term therapy. These programs might offer a higher success rate for you if you can get away from your regular environment and the stressors that led to or worsened your opioid addiction in the first place.
How to Find MAT in San Francisco, CA
Suppose you are looking for MAT rehab centers in San Francisco, California. In that case, you can find many reliable programs that will offer comprehensive, customized interventions designed to give you a complete recovery. The first step toward a healthier, happier life is to get help with a proven treatment program. At Marina Harbor Detox, we work with you to achieve a purposeful life, get help with your initial detox, and overcome the long-term factors that lead to substance abuse. Regular therapy and exposure to craving management can help you stay clean.
Reach out to us today for help with your addiction and start your MAT rehab journey.
