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Tag: what is medication-assisted treatment

What Is Medication-Assisted Treatment?

Posted on by cmarnew

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is an approach to addiction treatment that involves the use of FDA-approved medications to treat opioid and alcohol use disorders. These medications aren’t meant to treat addiction alone but work best in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies. Medication-assisted treatment can help to reduce cravings, prevent relapse, and decrease the overall severity of opioid and alcohol use disorder symptoms. Medication-assisted treatment can help individuals regain control of their life, reduce potential harm from using drugs or alcohol, and ultimately help them reach sobriety.

This therapeutic approach can be especially helpful for those who have struggled to achieve sobriety through an abstinence-based program. If you’re ready to begin treatment that could change your life, reach out to CMAR at 833.448.0127 today.

Medications Used in Medication-Assisted Treatment

There are several medications that have been approved to treat opioid and alcohol use disorders. These medications can be used in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies for an effective treatment approach.

Buprenorphine

Buprenorphine is a synthetic opioid medication that is commonly used to treat opioid use disorder. This medication helps to reduce cravings, prevent relapse, and ease withdrawal symptoms. It works by binding to certain opioid receptors in the brain, producing a milder effect than other opioids. While some medications contain only buprenorphine, others contain a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone, such as Suboxone.

Naltrexone

Naltrexone is an opiate antagonist that works in the brain to prevent the effects of illicit or prescribed opiates. When taken, a person may no longer have the desire to use opiates. Unlike other types of MAT, naltrexone can also be used in helping a person who is in recovery from alcohol addiction.

Naloxone

In some cases, people return to using opioids even after entering treatment. In that event, they may try to use the same level of opioids as they did before treatment, which can lead to overdose and possible death. Those who are taking naloxone, however, will be less likely to suffer an overdose due to the drug’s opioid-blocking effects. Naloxone is available in both injection and nasal spray forms and is most often used by first responders or family members in the event of an opioid overdose.

Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment

One of the most common misconceptions about MAT is that a patient is transferring their addiction from substance to another. However, this is not the case. Doctors prescribe MAT as a short-term solution, not a replacement for opioids. This approach can actually make it easier for those in recovery to focus on long-term goals such as maintaining employment or finding stable housing. Additionally, MAT can help to reduce the risk of relapse and decrease symptoms related to opioid or alcohol use disorder.

Benefits of MAT include:

  • Reduced cravings – Since addiction medications can help reduce cravings, they can make it easier to focus on recovery goals.
  • Increased safety – By providing relief from withdrawal symptoms and reducing cravings, it is less likely that individuals will turn to harmful substances.
  • Increased stability – Medication-assisted treatment can provide patients with the stability that they need to focus on their recovery and make lasting lifestyle changes.
  • Decreased risk of overdose – By providing opioid-blocking effects, naloxone can help to prevent overdoses in those who relapse.
  • Increased retention in treatment programs – MAT has been shown to increase the chances of staying in treatment programs, which can lead to better recovery outcomes.

When you first start your treatment for addiction, a specialist will assess your addiction and any co-occurring disorders you may have. From there, they can decide if you need MAT and what type is best for you. Treatment can begin as early as detox and continue through rehab. The goal of MAT is to help you stay sober and provide you with the resources and support needed to maintain a successful recovery.

Breaking the Stigma Surrounding MAT

Unfortunately, there is still a stigma associated with medication-assisted treatment. Many people do not understand the purpose of using medications to treat addiction and assume that a person is simply replacing one addiction with another. Fortunately, more and more people are beginning to see the value in MAT as an effective treatment for opioid and alcohol use disorder.

It is important to remember that MAT is just one part of a comprehensive treatment program. When used in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies, MAT can be a powerful tool in helping individuals manage their addiction and find lasting sobriety.

Learn More About Medication-Assisted Treatment at CMAR

Learn more about MAT at Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery. We offer medication-assisted treatment as a part of our addiction treatment therapies in Colorado. Contact us at 833.448.0127 or reach out online to get started.

5 Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment

Posted on by cmarnew

Many patients who enroll in an addiction treatment program will receive medications to help reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings. There are many benefits of medication-assisted treatment as it greatly increases a patient’s ability to complete their recovery with fewer risks of relapse. Colorado medication-assisted treatment gives men and women a safe and effective recovery experience that promotes life-long sobriety.

At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, we provide compassionate care for men and women struggling with addiction or other mental health disorders. We combined the medication-assisted treatment benefits with evidence-backed behavioral therapies for a more effective treatment program. To discover all of the benefits of medication-assisted treatment, call 833.448.0127 or fill out our contact form today to speak with our compassionate staff to begin your recovery journey.

What Is Medication-Assisted Treatment?

Medication-assisted treatment, or MAT, provides medical support for men and women experiencing withdrawals from opioid or alcohol abuse. These medications can reduce painful physical symptoms while improving your mood and reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety that are common with addiction.

Some of the medications used in an MAT program are opioid-based and present a small risk of abuse. Medical professionals will administer medications and make adjustments to your dosages to find the right combinations. To give you the maximum MAT benefits, it may take several attempts before finding the best combination of medications.

At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, we help our patients understand what to expect from their medication-assisted treatment program and the types of behavioral therapies they will participate in.

5 Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment

There are several medication-assisted treatment benefits that patients will experience during their recovery journey. Patients will get relief from their cravings and reduce painful withdrawals while developing new coping skills to stop their abuse.

Here are five benefits of medication-assisted treatment:

  1. One of the benefits of MAT is that it offers a safer way to detox. Withdrawal symptoms can be deadly if their addiction is severe and they try to detox without medication. Delirium tremens is one serious withdrawal symptom and can mimic symptoms of sepsis or head injury and lead to respiratory failure or cardiovascular collapse if left untreated.
  2. Increases retention in treatment programs. Patients are more likely to continue their treatment as they will not be discouraged by their cravings and withdrawal symptoms. They can begin focusing on their recovery right away and get back to their healthy self much faster than without an MAT program.
  3. Other MAT benefits include decreasing the risk of overdose and death. Men and women who try to quit alone are at a greater risk of relapse when their symptoms peak after 48 hours. If they give in to their cravings, they will likely use more without thinking about their lowered tolerance, potentially leading to overdose and death.
  4. Reduces the risk of unemployment and divorce. Addiction causes people to act against their nature and can cause problems at home and work. Showing up late and poor job performance is common with addiction, and it can fracture relationships and trust.
  5. Improves fertility and the likelihood of a healthy pregnancy. Women who stop their substance use and complete their addiction treatment program are more likely to become pregnant and deliver a healthy child.

Choose Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery to Discover All of the Benefits of Our Medication-Assisted Treatment

At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, we support men and women with their recovery journey through our outpatient treatment facility. We combine the benefits of medication-assisted treatment with behavioral therapies for a more effective treatment program. The type of therapies we offer include:

  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy
  • Dialectical behavior therapy
  • Individual and group therapy
  • Family therapy
  • Neurofeedback therapy
  • Case management and peer support

To discover all of the benefits of MAT in our outpatient programs, call 833.448.0127 today for more information about our addiction treatment programs.

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Cortland Mathers-Suter

MSSA
Managing Partner

Cortland Mathers-Suter entered the treatment space after his own battle with addiction. He first worked as a peer mentor, before starting clinical work while completing his Masters of Science in social administration from Case Western Reserve University where he focused on policy and direct practice. Cortland moved to Colorado in 2015 to start his first addiction treatment program, AspenRidge Recovery. Under his tenure, AspenRidge Recovery became a two-location, nationally accredited organization. He has since spent the last two years researching and developing what is now Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery (CMAR).

According to Cortland, “Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery is the most important organization I have had the honor to help build. We’re offering a service that seeks to not only improve the lives of our patients but also evolve how we look at medication-assisted treatment in Colorado entirely. Most individuals receiving medication-assisted care only receive medication and urinalysis. Sure you can call that ‘treatment,’ but you can’t call that ‘recovery.’ Our model is about adding the missing recovery component, and thus affords an opportunity to achieve lasting change for each patient and the industry.”

Cortland and his treatment programs have received numerous honors. These include Colorado Business Magazine’s “GenXYZ” award, the 2020 “Titan 100” award, and his program AspenRidge Recovery was both a finalist for “Best Healthcare Company” and named in the “Company’s to Watch” by Colorado Business Magazine as well. He has been interviewed and quoted by numerous publications for his “addiction expertise”, including News Week, 5280 Magazine, the Denver Post, Elephant Journal, Colorado Biz Mag, and TheRecoverySource.org.

Tyler Whitman

Compliance/HR Administrator

Tyler is originally from Omaha, Nebraska. He worked in manufacturing administration for 18 years until he chose to pursue recovery from alcohol addiction, which led him to Chicago, Illinois. Since then, Tyler gained experience in retail, retail pharmacy, and healthcare as a vaccine coordinator for a local Colorado clinic. At the clinic, Tyler discovered that healthcare was the career change he had been looking for. His newfound passion for healthcare, combined with his lived experience with addiction, brought him to Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery as an Office Administrator.

In his free time, Tyler enjoys cooking, hiking, and skiing. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Health Services Administration from Regis University.

Simmeren Boanvala

BA
Outreach and Admissions Representative

Simmeren comes to CMAR after several years working admissions in inpatient psychiatry and addiction. A first-generation Colorado Native, Simmeren attended CU Boulder, where she earned a BA in psychology. Simmeren is currently completing her CAC III while working toward her master’s degree in marriage and family therapy.

According to Simmeren, “I joined CMAR because I believe in the quality and importance of the program whole-heartedly. My goal at CMAR is to guide each prospect who calls CMAR to find the best possible pathway to their recovery”. Simmeren currently lives in her hometown with her dog and cat.

Tyler Hale

Tyler Hale

Community Partnership Lead

Tyler Hale began his career in addiction treatment following a decades-long fight with his own substance abuse issues. Since achieving long-term recovery, Tyler has held various positions in direct care, client services, admissions and outreach departments at various addiction treatment organizations. From sober living program director to outreach director to admissions director at a drug and alcohol treatment program, Tyler consistently finds himself in leadership roles within the addiction treatment space.

Tyler is originally from Chicago, IL, where he graduated from Loyola University Chicago with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Bioethics. Thereafter, Tyler built a successful career in the tech industry, before finding sobriety and a subsequent calling to help others. Tyler joined the team at CMAR because he believes in the efficacy of comprehensive and patient-centered outpatient treatment. In his free time Tyler enjoys camping, hiking and spending time with his newborn son.

Kirstin O’Carroll

MSW
Engagement and Relations Director

Kirstin O’Carroll started her career in addiction and mental health services 23 years ago after graduating with an MSW from The Oho State University. Hired directly from an internship program, she served as a case manager and vocational specialist on a community treatment team in Columbus, OH, working to help severely mentally ill adults remain at home and in a community setting. Within the same organization, she later transitioned to clinical assessment and crisis intervention services with children, adolescents, and adults. Through these experiences, she learned the importance of providing empathetic, high-quality care and the need to “start wherever the patient is” with regard to finding the best treatment & solutions for her patients.

After seven years, Kirstin made a career change to diagnostic sales and worked for several Fortune 500 companies as an acute care sales specialist. She is delighted to return “home” to her passion for helping others and believes her new role as community engagement coordinator for CMAR is the perfect alignment of both her clinical and sales skills. When not promoting CMAR, she can be found reading, running, hiking, watching movies, and spending time with her husband Dennis and senior canine son Reggie.

Thomas Mazzarella

LAC
Primary Therapist

Thomas is a Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) in the State of Colorado and a Licensed Addictions Specialist (LCAS) in the State of North Carolina with particular expertise in the treatment of chronic Substance Abuse Addiction and Dependency.

Thomas is dedicated to Individual, Couples, Family, and Group Counseling and Therapy for individuals with Substance Use and Mental Health issues and concerns.

James Jackman

CAS
Primary Therapist

James Jackman is a Certified Addiction Specialist and has been practicing addiction treatment in Colorado since 2015. James is pursuing his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Metropolitan State University Denver. James is a traditional CBT therapist specializing in childhood events that lead to adult addictions.

James has received special training in Family Systems, Inner Child, Maladaptive Schemas, and Adverse Childhood Experiences. James has worked in many treatment settings throughout his career and uses a client-centered treatment approach to help one recover from destructive patterns that facilitate addiction. In addition, James enjoys working with rescue animals and advocates for several local rescue organizations outside of work.

Outside of the office, Megan enjoys spending time with her two German Shepherds and her cat. She is passionate about fostering animals through various local rescues to find adoptive homes for dogs and cats in need.

Megan Hanekom

LPC, LAC, NCC
Therapist & Clinical Compliance Officer

Megan is a licensed counselor who has worked in various mental health and addiction treatment environments. She practices cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing and believes in pulling from various therapeutic approaches to best support each individual. Megan received her bachelor’s in psychology and Spanish from Concordia College. She relocated from North Dakota to Colorado where she earned a master’s in counseling psychology from the University of Denver.

Outside of the office, Megan enjoys spending time with her two German Shepherds and her cat. She is passionate about fostering animals through various local rescues to find adoptive homes for dogs and cats in need.

Maggie Coyle

MA, LPC
Primary Therapist

Maggie Coyle, MS, MA, LPP, LPCC has worked in the mental health and addictions counseling field for the past six years. She has extensive experience in working in the varying levels of mental health and addictions treatment as well as with diverse populations.

She practices cognitive-behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy as primary intervention methods. She has earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology as well as a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling both from Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD. She has also earned a master’s degree in addictions counseling from the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, SD. Maggie moved from South Dakota to Colorado in June 2020 and is excited to be a part of the CMAR team.

Michael Damioli

LCSW, CSAT
Clinical Director

Michael Damioli has been passionately working in the fields of addiction treatment and mental health since 2012. He has held a variety of different roles within the addiction recovery space, ranging from peer support to direct clinical practice. Notably, Michael was part of a leadership group that developed a small therapy practice into a nationally branded addiction treatment program, which offers multiple levels of care to recovering professionals. Michael is a strong believer in the family disease model of addiction and has focused much of his clinical work and training on supporting families impacted by addiction. He also specializes in treating individuals suffering from co-occurring chemical and process addictions.

Michael is honored to be leading the clinical care team at CMAR and believes that excellent clinical care begins by simply treating a patient with dignity and respect. Michael is a strong advocate for ethical reform within the addiction treatment field and is excited to promote CMAR as an ethical and thought leader throughout the treatment & recovery industry. Michael earned his master’s degree in social work from the University of Denver and is independently licensed as a clinical social worker with the state of Colorado. He holds an advanced post-graduate certificate in marriage and family therapy from the Denver Family Institute as well as an advanced certificate in sexual addiction counseling from the International Institute of Trauma and Addiction Professionals.

Dwight-Duncan

Dwight Duncan

Psy.D
Psychologist

Dr. Duncan was born and spent most of his early life in California. He received his doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Denver in 1987. He is a licensed psychologist as well as a licensed addiction counselor. He has had extensive training and experience throughout his professional career in medical psychology, mindfulness, integrated behavioral healthcare, and substance abuse.

Dr. Duncan is married and has one daughter, a neurologic physical therapist in Los Angeles.

Susan-Miget

Susan Miget

NP
Medical Provider

Susan has been in healthcare for more than 20 years. She was an ICU nurse for nine years, then returned to school and completed her master of nursing and family nurse practitioner degree at the University of Missouri-St. Louis in 2007. She practiced pain management for many years before developing her current passion for addiction treatment.

Susan has transitioned her practice to focus entirely on addiction treatment. She has worked in residential treatment, partial hospitalization (PHP), and intensive outpatient (IOP) programs. Susan most enjoys working with patients one-on-one in a private office to protect their confidentiality and ensure top-rate care. Knowing that addiction can affect anyone, anywhere, and at any time, Susan continues to strive to make treatment more accessible and confidential.

Whitney-Grant

Whitney Grant

MSN, FNP-BC, ARNP, RN, CPN
Medical Provider

Whitney Grant is an experienced family nurse practitioner with experience and expertise in medication-assisted treatment. Whitney earned her BSN at the University of Miami before moving on to achieve a master of science in nursing degree there as well, becoming a nurse practitioner immediately thereafter.

Whitney has since achieved board certification from the ANCC as a family nurse practitioner. After spending her entire formative and educational years in South Florida, Whitney moved to Denver in 2018 to pursue a career as a provider in family practice, sub-specializing in addictions medicine. Whitney has worked under the guidance of Dr. Nathaniel Moore, CMAR’s medical director, since moving to Denver.

Nathaniel Moore

MD
Medical Director

Dr. Nathan Moore is board-certified by the American Board of Family Medicine. Dr. Moore attended Stanford University in Palo Alto, CA for his undergraduate work and then attended Duke University School of Medicine and obtained his M.D. in 1995. Dr. Moore then came to Colorado and completed his residency in family medicine at the University of Colorado’s Family Medicine Program at Rose Medical Center.

Dr. Moore practices primarily at our Aurora location. He provides comprehensive family medicine services and has a special interest in addiction medicine, treating patients with opioid use disorder as well as alcohol addiction.

Dr. Moore is married with three children. He enjoys mountain biking, running, and golf.