Overview
- Updated On:
- May 21, 2023
Description
Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment
Medication-assisted treatment, or MAT, is a time-tested, research-supported approach to opioid addiction treatment for adults. MAT, which has been closely studied in the United States for several decades, has a documented history of effectiveness. The core components of MAT are prescription medication and counseling. The medications that are offered in MAT can ease some of the more severe symptoms of opioid withdrawal, and when people take these medications as directed by their doctors, they may find it much easier to end their opioid use. Some MAT patients take medication for a relatively brief time, then begin to taper off. Others continue to take medication for months or even years. The medications that are used in MAT programs have proved to be safe and beneficial for both short- and long-term use when taken with supervision from qualified professionals. The counseling component of MAT can help patients address the behavioral, emotional, and social aspects of opioid addiction. During counseling sessions, adults can gain information about the disease of addiction and develop the skills and strategies that can help them resist opioid use and achieve healthier futures.
What to Expect
When you arrive at Oceanside Comprehensive Treatment Center (CTC), you will be greeted by a friendly member of our staff. Once we’ve confirmed some basic information, one of your first activities will be to complete a thorough intake assessment. This will include both a physical examination and a review of your history of opioid abuse and addiction. The information we gather during this process will help us determine which medication and counseling services may be right for you. After your assessment, a doctor may prescribe one of the following medications: methadone, buprenorphine, Suboxone, or Vivitrol. Before you begin to take any medication, the doctor will explain its benefits and potential side effects and answer any questions you have. At this point we may also schedule you for individual and group counseling. Individual sessions are confidential one-on-one conversations with a trained professional. Group sessions, which are also led by a trained professional, involve a small number of peers who are also receiving MAT at our CTC. Groups are supportive forums where you can share your insights and learn from the experiences of other members of the recovery community.
Our Comprehensive Treatment Center
Located in historic Oceanside, California, Oceanside CTC provides medication-assisted treatment on an outpatient basis for adults who have developed addictions to heroin, prescription painkillers, and other opioids. We serve adults of all genders age 18 and older. Our convenient location about 40 miles north of San Diego offers easy access from Carlsbad, Encinitas, and other communities along the southern California coast. Our team of doctors, nurses, and counselors recognize that change is rarely easy, even when that change can lead to life-affirming outcomes such as long-term recovery from opioid addiction. We also know that many people who develop opioid addictions also struggle with shame, guilt, fear, and other negative emotions. For these reasons, we are committed to maintaining a supportive and welcoming environment where every person is treated respectfully. At Oceanside CTC, patients are never defined by the disorder they have developed or judged negatively because of their past struggles. Also, to ensure that the greatest number of people have access to our services, we accept several payment options, including commercial insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, and self-pay.
For more information, please visit Oceanside CTC – MAT
