Medication Assisted Treatment Orange County

Finding Medication Assisted Treatment Services In Orange County

For many people who are in recovery for a substance use disorder, their treatment will often involve the use of certain FDA approved medications. This type of treatment can help to ease any complications that come up during their recovery process, improving their chances of success.

If you or a loved one are struggling with painkillers or alcohol, MAT can help curb cravings and make early recovery possible. Hope is not lost, and we are here to help you get clean and sober!

If you are looking for medication-assisted treatment services in Orange County, South Shores Detox and Recovery can provide the care you need. Our comprehensive treatment program uses a combination of medication management and therapy to address every aspect of your addiction.

Keep reading to learn more about our medication assisted treatment Orange County services, and the effective programs offered at South Shores!

How Does Addiction Impact Your Life?

Addiction can have a devastating impact on your life in many ways, making the need for effective treatment to your ability to recover from this disease. One of the many ways in which you may be affected by your addiction includes effects on your physical health.

Chronic substance abuse can lead to a number of health problems, including liver damage, heart disease, stroke, cancer, and HIV/AIDS. It can also weaken your immune system, making you more susceptible to illness.

Of course, your physical health is not the only side effect you can suffer from your addiction. This disease can also cause or worsen mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia, as well as lead to suicidal thoughts and attempts.

Addiction Affects the Whole Family System

Furthermore, addiction can damage your relationships with family, friends, and loved ones, as well as lead to legal trouble. Many people who struggle with substance abuse also suffer from lost productivity, job loss, and financial problems.

Many people believe that only a small group of people are at risk for addiction, but this is a common misconception. Anyone can develop a substance use disorder, regardless of their personal, social, or economic background. At South Shores Detox and Recovery, we treat people from all walks of life.

What is Medication Assisted Treatment?

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) is a form of addiction treatment that uses a combination of medication with counseling and behavioral therapies. While MAT can be used to treat any form of substance abuse, it has been found to be most effective for treating opioid use disorder (OUD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD).

The medications used in this practice work to reduce psychological cravings and withdrawal symptoms, making it easier for people to stay in treatment and achieve long-term recovery. Counseling and behavioral therapies can help people to address the underlying issues that led to their substance use disorders, such as trauma, mental health conditions, and stress.

MAT is considered to be the gold standard for treating opioid addiction and alcohol disorders, especially when combined with other treatment options, rather than using counseling or medication alone. When participating in an MAT-based addiction treatment program, you can expect to:

• Reduce your drug use
• Stay in treatment longer
• Decrease your risk of overdose
• Improve your overall health and well-being

Who Needs Medication Management?

Anyone who is struggling with a drug or alcohol addiction can benefit from a medication-assisted treatment program. Of course, there are certain factors that may make certain individuals benefit more from an MAT program, including:

• Those who have an alcohol or opioid dependency.
• Those who have a high risk of overdose or death from their drug use.
• Those who have tried to quit opioids on their own or with other treatments and have not been successful.
• Pregnant women or those who are breastfeeding while withdrawing.
• Those who have a co-occurring mental health disorder or medical condition.
• Those who have a criminal record and are assigned MAT as part of their parole/probation.

These are just a few examples of those who are most likely to require MAT. There are many benefits to this form of treatment, and many studies have shown MAT improves recovery outcomes for those receiving treatment for an addiction.

MAT for Opioid Use Disorder

For those struggling with opioid dependence, such as a fentanyl or heroin addiction, there are three main FDA-approved medications used to treat these conditions. Depending on the severity of your addiction, you may be given these medications during your treatment process:

• Methadone: This is a long-acting opioid agonist that works by binding to opioid receptors in the brain, blocking the effects of other opioids and reducing cravings. Methadone can be dispensed at a methadone clinic, where you must go daily to receive your medication, or by a medical provider at your treatment program.
• Buprenorphine: This is a partial opioid agonist that is taken sublingually (under the tongue) and works by binding to opioid receptors in the brain at a lower level than other opioids. This allows it to block the effects of other opioids. It is available as Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone) and Subutex (buprenorphine), with the former being able to reverse the effects of an overdose due to its naloxone ingredient.
• Naltrexone: This is a long-acting opioid antagonist that is taken orally once a month. It works by blocking the effects of opioids in the brain. Naltrexone is typically used for people who have been abstinent from opioids for at least 7-10 days.

MAT for Alcohol Dependence

For those who are recovering from alcohol abuse, there are three medications that have been approved by the FDA to treat this substance use disorder. Depending on the severity of your condition, you may be administered the following medications to help manage your symptoms:

• Disulfiram (Antabuse): This medication works by causing unpleasant effects if alcohol is consumed, such as nausea, vomiting, headache, flushing, sweating, and chest pain. This can be aversive to people who are trying to stop drinking, and it can help to prevent relapse.
• Naltrexone (Revia, Vivitrol): This medication blocks the effects of alcohol on the brain, helping to reduce cravings for alcohol and making it less enjoyable to drink. Naltrexone can be taken as a pill or as a monthly injection.
• Acamprosate (Campral): This medication helps to restore the balance of chemicals in the brain that are affected by alcohol abuse, reducing cravings for alcohol and making it easier to stay sober. Acamprosate is usually taken as a pill twice a day.

Using Behavioral Therapy Alongside MAT

While MAT is an effective way to treat substance use disorders, it is most beneficial when used in combination with other treatment modalities. In particular, combining medications with behavioral therapies can give you your best chance at a successful outcome in your recovery.

Behavioral therapies are a form of psychotherapy that focus on changing unhealthy or unhelpful behaviors. There are many different types of behavioral therapy, but some of the most common ones used in addiction treatment include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): This form of therapy helps people identify and change negative thoughts and beliefs that contribute to their substance use.
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT): DBT is a type of talk therapy that teaches people skills to manage difficult emotions and relationships.
• Motivational interviewing (MI): MI is a non-judgmental approach to helping people increase their motivation to change their substance abuse and addictive behaviors.

Behavioral therapy can be an effective way to help people with substance use disorders achieve long-term sobriety. When combined with MAT, behavioral therapy can provide a comprehensive and effective treatment approach that can help you overcome your addiction and rebuild your life.

Where to Find Medication Assisted Treatment: Orange County

Orange County offers many of the best attractions southern California has to offer, with its warm weather, beautiful beaches, magnificent mountain ranges, sprawling valleys and diverse cultural history serving as just a few of its features.

If you are looking for addiction treatment services in Orange County, South Shores Detox and Recovery can be the right choice for you. Our MAT program uses only FDA-approved medications and extensive support for all of your physical and emotional recovery needs.

When receiving medication-assisted treatment at our facility, your recovery will be regularly monitored by a medical professional to make sure your medications are working properly. This supervision will also make sure that you are able to receive immediate and proper care should any medical emergencies come up.

What Can I Expect From the Addiction Treatment Process?

There is no discounting that MAT is an effective method for treating addiction; of course, this does not mean it should be the only treatment method used in your recovery process. When you attend our rehabilitation program, you will have access to a wide variety of treatment services.

Our program takes a whole-patient approach to recovery, meaning we address both your surface level addiction and its underlying causes. When you arrive at our facility, you will work with a case manager to determine which of our services will be best for your recovery process.

When creating your individualized treatment plan, you may be advised to participate in several different levels of care, including (but not limited to):

• Residential treatment
• Outpatient programs
• Medication management
• Behavioral therapies
• Holistic treatments
• Sober living planning

No matter what your recovery needs are, we can provide the treatment and support to meet each and every one of them. Our team of licensed medical professionals and clinicians will work with you every step of the way to make sure you achieve long-term recovery.

Get Support at South Shores Detox and Recovery Today

If you are ready to start your addiction recovery journey and are seeking treatment in Orange County, you need look no further than South Shores Detox and Recovery! Our addiction treatment center in Dana Point offers you a beautiful and restorative recovery environment to achieve long-term sobriety in.

We will work with you to build a treatment plan that addresses each of your treatment needs, giving you your best chance at taking back control of your life. To learn more about how our program can be a great fit for you, reach out to us today!