Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a chronic condition characterized by an inability to control alcohol consumption despite adverse consequences. It affects millions worldwide and often requires a comprehensive approach to treatment. Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) has become a vital part of effective programs for AUD, offering promising results when combined with counseling and behavioral therapies.
In this article, we explain the importance of MAT in treating alcohol use disorder and how this evidence-based treatment can support long-term recovery.
Understanding Alcohol Use Disorder
AUD is marked by a pattern of problematic use leading to significant impairment or distress. Symptoms include craving, inability to cut down, and continued use despite harmful effects on physical and mental health. Chronic use can cause a range of issues, including liver damage, cognitive impairment, and co-occurring mental health disorders.
The pleasurable effects of the substance often reinforce continued drinking, making sobriety challenging. Risk factors for AUD include genetics, environmental influences, and mental health or substance use conditions. Understanding these causes of addiction helps guide the development of effective plans that address both the disorder and its underlying factors. For example, at Mile High Recovery, we offer an Alcohol Addiction Treatment Program in Denve,r which includes Medication-Assisted Treatment to ease withdrawal and cravings, paired with therapies designed to help you build lasting health and sobriety.
What is Medication-Assisted Treatment?
Medication-Assisted Treatment combines FDA-approved medications with counseling and behavioral therapies to provide a comprehensive approach. MAT involves using medications to help reduce cravings, manage withdrawal symptoms, and decrease the rewarding effects of drinking for a prolonged period.
The process may be initiated in various settings, from inpatient care to outpatient addiction services, depending on the severity of the disorder and individual needs. It not only addresses physical dependence but also facilitates behavioral changes necessary for long-term recovery.
Medications Used in MAT
Naltrexone, available in oral and injectable forms, works by blocking opioid receptors, thereby reducing the pleasurable effects of the drink and decreasing cravings. Acamprosate targets brain chemistry to restore balance disrupted by chronic use, helping reduce withdrawal symptoms and supporting abstinence. Disulfiram causes unpleasant reactions when the substance is consumed, serving as a deterrent to drinking.
A health care provider carefully evaluates patients to determine which medications for AUD are appropriate, ensuring the best fit for their healing goals and needs. The use of these medications with counseling and behavioral therapies improves overall outcomes.
Benefits of MAT
MAT helps reduce relapse rates by managing cravings and withdrawal symptoms, allowing patients to focus on recovery and develop healthier coping skills. It increases retention by making the process more tolerable and effective. It may also improve physical and mental health outcomes by reducing the substance’s effects and addressing co-occurring conditions. Evidence supports a comprehensive recovery plan in which medication and therapy work together to achieve sustained sobriety.
MAT is even effective when combined with behavioral therapies such as CBT, DBT and Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET), as they help patients understand their relationship to alcohol, identify triggers, and learn new coping skills. These approaches address the psychological aspects of substance abuse and support long-term recovery by reducing the risk of relapse.
Case Studies and Success Stories
Patients who have initiated MAT commonly report significant reductions in craving intensity, a marked decrease in relapse rates, and notable improvements in overall mental health and emotional stability, as supported by extensive research. For example, individuals with moderate to severe alcohol dependence who used naltrexone in combination with structured counseling and behavioral therapies experienced greater ease in maintaining long-term sobriety, improved impulse control, and enhanced coping skills to manage triggers and stressors. These positive outcomes not only reflect MAT’s effectiveness in alleviating the biological mechanisms of addiction, such as brain receptor activity and withdrawal symptoms, but also underscore its critical role in facilitating the psychological resilience and social reintegration necessary for lasting recovery.
Final Thoughts from Mile High Recovery
MAT helps reduce cravings, manage withdrawal, and support long-term sobriety by combining FDA-approved medications with counseling and behavioral therapies. Individuals struggling with alcohol dependence can benefit greatly from a comprehensive treatment program that includes pharmacotherapy as part of a comprehensive evidence-based approach.
At Mile High Recovery, we offer an alcohol rehab program in Denver, CO, which includes Medication-Assisted Treatment, to help with cravings and withdrawal, along with comprehensive behavioral therapies to address the psychological side of addiction. Combining these approaches gives you the best chance to achieve long-term sobriety and a healthier, more fulfilling life.
Resources
- https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects-health/alcohol-topics/alcohol-facts-and-statistics/alcohol-use-disorder-aud-united-states-age-groups-and-demographic-characteristics
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9300028/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK436003/
- https://focus.psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/foc.1.2.183
- https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2023/01/04/samhsa-announces-national-survey-drug-use-health-results-detailing-mental-illness-substance-use-levels-2021.html
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459239/
