H.O.P.E.

Hold On Pain Ends

Algone Dependency Treatment 

What exactly is Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)?

MAT is the term used when the disease being treated, is addiction/ dependency. Evidence has shown that successful treatment of addiction, especially early treatment of addiction, often includes both behavior changes and medication changes. A successful MAT program utilizes FDA-approved medications as needed and counseling components, such as patient-provider motivational counseling, to assist in the healing process. These are best met with counseling, group therapy, and/ or support from peers and professionals. Algone's dependency program is the “bridge” from addiction to sobriety. These therapies help curb withdrawal symptoms and cravings, which then help release a person from the bondage of dependency on opioids. Addiction is a chronic disease and those with addiction suffer damage to areas of the brain that are integral to executive function and control. Through medication stabilization and behavioral changes, the brain can improve.

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Our facilities are multidisciplinary, meaning patients are here for a variety of reasons. Our clinics are a judgement free zone, and our staff's main priority is to help you get your life back.

 

Addictions/ Dependencies that CAN Be Treated at Algone

Alcohol Abuse

For some adults, alcohol use is not harmful. However, around 18 million adult Americans have an alcohol use disorder. This disease causes craving, loss of control, physical dependence, and tolerance. 

Common signs of alcoholism include:

  • Inability to control alcohol consumption
  • Craving alcohol when you’re not drinking
  • Putting alcohol above responsibilities
  • Feeling the need to keep drinking more
  • Spending a substantial amount of money on alcohol
  • Behaving differently after drinking
  • Feeling like you have to drink more than when you first started drinking (i.e. building up a tolerance).

MAT USED: Acamprosate, Naltrexone, & Disulfiram.

Opioid Misuse

The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that more than 2 million Americans abuse opioids and on average, more than 90 Americans die from opioid overdose every day.

Common signs of opioid misuse include:

  • Avoiding time with family and friends
  • Losing interest in activities
  • Not bathing, changing clothes or brushing their teeth
  • Being very tired and sad, poor sleep schedule
  • Unusual eating habits: more or less than usual
  • Being overly energetic, talking fast and saying things that don’t make sense
  • Mood changes: being nervous or cranky and quickly changing moods
  • Missing important appointments
  • Getting into trouble with the law
  • Attending work or school on an erratic schedule

MAT USED: Methadone, Buprenorphine, and Naltrexone

Heroin Use

In 2015, nearly 13,000 people died from heroin overdose and more than 1.5 million people aged 12 and older reported using heroin at least once, according to the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. The pain and suffering of addiction can end. Through education, prevention and treatment, it is possible to make heroin abuse a thing of the past.

Signs of Heroin Addiction:

  • Using the drug to relieve withdrawal symptoms
  • Making your life revolve around drug use
  • Abandoning activities you once enjoyed
  • Continuing use regardless of the consequences
  • Withdrawing from friends and family

MAT USED: Methadone, Buprenorphine, and Naltrexone

Medication Assisted Treatments

  • The Bridge Device
    content coming soon
  • Disulfiram
    Disulfiram helps those dependent on alcohol by causing unpleasant effects when alcohol is consumed. These unpleasant effects take place about 10 minutes after alcohol is consumed and lasts for about an hour.
  • Naltrexone/ Naloxone
    Naltrexone/ Naloxone used for alcohol or substance abuse and is an antagonist. This means it does not stimulate the mu-opioid receptors but instead blocks them. This prevents patients from feeling the euphoric effects of opioids. Naltrexone/ Naloxone is prescribed in pill form or as an injectable (Vivitrol). Vivitrol is an injection that lasts for 30 days.

  • Acamprosate
    Acamprosate is used to treat alcoholism and works by restoring the natural balance of chemicals in the brain. Acamprosate is one of the most commonly used medications for alcohol dependence. Alcohol abuse changes the chemistry and functioning of the brain. Acamprosate helps normalize brain activity that has been thrown into disarray by alcohol abuse. Visit the Addiction Center website for more information on this drug.
  • Methadone
    Methadone is a full-mu opioid agonist. It fully stimulates the receptors. It has a very long half life and can last for 8 to 59 hours in the system. This allows the patient’s brain to begin stabilizing with a continuous source of dopamine release. The brain is not left empty of dopamine but it is not going through rapid cycles of surges and lows, either. Methadone was the first medication approved for opioid use disorder and can only be dispensed from approved facilities. Because it is a full agonist, it fully activates the receptors and has no ceiling effect. It is indicated for patients who are on large amounts of opiates or for people who are too high-risk for outpatient, at home dispensing.
  • Suboxone/ Subutex/ Sublocade
    Buprenorphine is a partial mu-opioid, meaning it too stimulates the receptors but not to the full extent that methadone does. With buprenorphine, a ceiling effect occurs, meaning once a certain amount of medication is in the system, adding more medication won’t make the person feel any better. Providers with a special license can prescribe this schedule III control substance on an out-patient basis. As with methadone, the mu opioid receptors have a higher affinity for buprenorphine than they do for other opiates., meaning that if a patient uses other opioids while on methadone or buprenorphine, they will not feel the opioid effects (they won’t get “high”).

Request Appointment

Our facilities are multidisciplinary, meaning patients are here for a variety of reasons. Our clinics are a judgement free zone, and our staff's main priority is to help you get your life back.

 

Resources

Medication assisted treatment (MAT). (2018). Behavioral Health Group. Retrieved from https://bhgrecovery.com/treatment-services/proven-treatment/