Medication Assisted
Treatment for Substance
Abuse
Why Close Monitoring of Medication Assisted Treatment
(MAT) for Substance Abuse is Essential for Success
An Honest Look at MAT
By Keesha Allen
What is Addiction?
 According to drugabuse.gov, addiction is defined as 'a
chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive
drug seeking, continued use despite harmful
consequences, and long-lasting changes in the brain. It
is considered both a complex brain disorder and a
mental illness. Addiction is the most severe form of a full
spectrum of substance use disorders, and is a medical
illness caused by repeated misuse of a substance or
substances’
Why Should Students Who are Majoring
in Human Services Care about MAT?
 We are in the midst of a nationwide drug crisis and the
human services profession is square on the frontlines of
the fight
 2012 more than 9.3 million prescriptions were written for
these types of medications
 According to Drugs.com suboxone is the 28th top selling
drug
 We want to do what's best for those we're trying to help
and it's best we are educated on the benefits and risks
of all treatment components
What is MAT? Medication Assisted Treatment
Medications such as Buprenorphine or Methadone which
are used to decrease or eliminate the notorious withdrawal
symptoms of heroin and other opioid drugs.
Opiate Withdrawal Symptoms
Pain areas: in the muscles
Whole body: excessive hunger, lethargy, loss of appetite, night sweats, restlessness,
shakiness, clammy skin, craving, feeling cold, or sweating
Gastrointestinal: gagging, nausea, vomiting, flatulence, or stomach cramps
Behavioral: agitation, crying, excitability, irritability, or self-harm
Psychological: delirium, depression, hallucination, paranoia, or severe anxiety
Sleep: insomnia, nightmares, sleepiness, or sleeping difficulty
Cognitive: disorientation, mental confusion, racing thoughts, or slowness in activity
Mood: boredom, feeling detached from self, loss of interest or pleasure in activities,
or nervousness
Nasal: congestion or runny nose
Eyes: dilated pupil or watery eyes
Also common: seizures, sensitivity to pain, slurred speech, teeth chattering, tingling
feet, trembling, tremor, or weakness
The Evolution of MAT
 First generation MAT- Methadone
•
availability was strictly confined
to within the hospital setting
and only administered to the
most ill addicts.
•
Was later dispensed within
outpatient clinics
•
Clients are dispensed strictly
limited daily doses
The Evolution of MAT
 Modern MAT- Suboxone (early to
more recent)
• Increased availability at outpatient
settings
• Unscrupulous doctors
• No treatment corequisites
• Unfavorable outcomes
Why Close Monitoring Matters
MAT drugs produce an opioid effect identical to the euphoria
achieved through the use of other addictive drugs such as morphine
and heroin
MAT drugs carry the same risks as drugs of abuse including
• NAUSEA,VOMITING,CONSTIPATION
•ADDICTION
•OVERDOSE
• DEPRESSED RESPIRATIONS
•AND EVEN DEATH
Why Close Monitoring Matters
 The compulsive nature of the disease of addiction
makes it difficult for the addict to self-regulate drug
intake in spite of the addict's genuine will to not misuse
the medication
It is IMPARATIVE that addicts be given the
assistance of being closely monitored while
being prescribed MAT drugs!!!
MAT Programs Aimed for Success
New programs like Meadville Medical Center and Crawford
County Drug and Alcohol Executive partnership program STAR
(Suboxone Treatment and Recovery)
What makes the program successful?
Compliance of key program requirements in order to
remain eligible for program inclusioin including
Individualized treatment goals
 Patients will learn about the disease of addiction and
about the benefits and risks of MAT
 Length of time to be prescribed MAT drugs is
individualized.
 Generally, not exceeding 18 months in duration as
deemed by new federal regulations
Individual and Group Therapy
 Finding the root of the addiction with a focus on mental
health
 Treatment of coexisting mental illness through one on
one counseling
 Learning new coping strategies
 Group therapies including cognitive behavior
modification
Random Urine Drug Screens
 Frequent to maintain accountability
 Ensures therapeutic levels of MAT are not exceeded
 Protect the addict from potential misuse of the MAT drug
 Monitors and deters potential interactions with street
drugs
Access to a Free Network of Peers in
Recovery
 Referrals to local groups
 12 step meetings
 Connections to recovery peers
The utilization of peer networks appears to have
high impact on success of the person seeking
long term recovery. Generally, those who use
peer support have better outcomes than those
who don’t use these resources
Recap
Nature of the disease of addiction
makes addicts vulnerable to misuse of
MAT drugs such as suboxone
Close monitoring of patients on MAT is
imparative
Corequisites to MAT should
include elements of
psychosocial therapies and
peer support
Group Opinion Time
• DO YOU THINK THE BENEFITS
OUTWEIGH THE RISK IN PATIENTS
ON MAT?
• WHAT IS A CONCERN YOU MAY
HAVE WITH THE USE OF MAT?
References


H, Joseph (2000). Methadone maintence
treatment (MMT): a rev iew of historial and
clinical issues. Pubmed, Pages Abstract
page 1-1
(2018). Mayoclinic.org. : About Drug
Withdrawal, Drug Addiction (substance use
disorder) Pages 1-10

(2018) Kumar R, Saadibadi A.
Buprenorphine, Statpearls publishing

(2018) , Personal interviews with MAT users
v ia online message, December 2018

(2013) SAMHSA, Nationalpainreport.com,
Sharp Rise in Suboxone Emergency Room
Visits. January 31, 2013

Let’s Talk Overcoming addiction MMC

https://letstalkhelps.com/suboxone/

https://patientsrightsadvocatedotcom.files.
wordpress.com/2018/01/dishonestdoctor.jpg?w=560
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