About Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) is the gold-standard approach for treating Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). By using MAT to get your cravings and withdrawal symptoms under control, we can help prevent you from relapsing on opioids.
MAT also gives you more freedom to focus your energy on improving other areas of your life, including your mental health, which our team will help you do one step at a time. Opioid Use Disorder should be treated as a chronic condition with long-term, team-based, patient-centered care. Similar to conditions like type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure, opioid use disorder has genetic, environmental, and behavioral causes; the disorder responds best to long-term and consistent treatment with medication supplemented by behavior therapies.
Phases of Medication Assisted Treatment
Stabilization Phase
As you continue to receive your medication every day from your treatment center, you will experience fewer cravings and a lessening of withdrawal symptoms over time. Finding relief from these physical side effects will help you feel more stable in recovery and allow you to engage in counseling and support services and get to the root of your opioid use.
Induction Phase
We start your program by giving you the first dose of methadone or buprenorphine at your treatment center. Depending on which medication we use, we may start you on a larger dose right away, or we may choose to increase your dose over a longer period of time. However, our medical providers will always work with you to make these decisions.
Maintenance Phase
As you work with your treatment team to achieve a therapeutic medication dose and attend counseling sessions, the vision of living a healthier, hopeful lifestyle is attainable.
Clinical research consistently shows that MAT:
Reduces opioid overdose risk by 50% or more
Improves long-term recovery success
Helps patients maintain employment and family stability
Reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms
Supports full, productive daily functioning
At Esperanza Wellness, MAT is combined with compassionate care, psychiatric treatment, and personalized support to help every patient achieve meaningful recovery