MAT Addiction Treatment in Boston for Union Members?
Deciding to get treatment for substance abuse is an amazing step. Drug and alcohol addiction is a complex disorder and requires comprehensive treatment plans that will treat the root cause. The best rehab programs in Boston offer a variety of addiction treatments to build personalized treatment plans that will address all aspects of your unique case. The most successful recovery programs include a combination of psychotherapy, holistic treatments, and medically assisted treatment.
Finding top rated addiction treatment centers in Boston who take union insurance can be overwhelming. Union first is an employee assistance program that helps union members, public service employees and their families match with the right recovery programs. We can help you find rehab centers throughout Massachusetts that offer medically assisted treatment as part of their recovery program. Part of her services include treatment placement which involves completing a thorough assessment to uncover your unique addiction and personal needs and match you with the best treatment program within our network of trusted, licensed treatment facilities in Boston.
What is MAT?
Medically assisted treatment (MAT) is a type of alcohol and drug abuse treatment method which uses medications to help stabilize patients and enhance the effects of psychotherapy and behavioral health treatments. MAT programs are tailored to each patient’s needs and when used along with other addiction treatment therapies it can offer you the best chance of long-term recovery.
Medically assisted treatment is used throughout all levels of care and is essential in medical detox programs. MAT can greatly reduce or even eliminate withdrawals and cravings during the detox process which often cause many users to quickly relapse in the early stages of recovery. It is also necessary when dealing with detox with certain substances which may have dangerous and life threatening withdrawal symptoms, such as seizures, hallucinations, and cardiovascular events.
Medically assisted treatment is used in several stages and recovery programs and for a broad range of purposes, including:
- Alleviating withdrawal symptoms, cravings, and ensuring safety
- As a deterrent for substance use by triggering adverse side effects when the addictive substance is consumed
- Eliminating the substance’s ability to create a high
- Treating co-occurring disorders and dual diagnosis treatment including depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and anxiety
- Reducing or eliminating alcohol and drug cravings
Medically assisted treatment is used alongside other traditional forms of substance abuse treatment, including individual and group therapy. Substance abuse and addiction can cause compulsive behaviors that take months to break. MAT is helpful in addressing physical and mental symptoms of substance abuse recovery while the person is stabilized and can manage their addiction through coping skills and tools learned in therapy and 12 Step programs. It is especially useful during dual diagnosis treatment for treating underlying mental health issues which may be a trigger for relapse.
What to Expect During MAT?
Medically assisted treatment can be a powerful tool for all levels of care at rehab centers in Boston, Massachusetts. MAT is used in residential inpatient treatment, partial hospitalization program (PHP), intensive outpatient program (IOP), outpatient treatment, and aftercare programs. Personalized treatment plans will include MAT, but you should also expect various other forms of addiction therapies that will address and treat the underlying causes of substance abuse. A combination of medically assisted treatment and psychotherapy is usually the best approach to successful recovery. Addiction therapy can include cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, group therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, rational emotive behavioral therapy, family therapy, and holistic or alternative therapies.
Upon admission to a rehab center, a team of medical professionals will conduct a thorough physical and psychological evaluation to determine your treatment plan needs. You can also expect blood and lab work so your medical team may have a better idea of what to expect during your withdrawal process. If they determine you need a medical detox program, you will check into your room where medical staff will monitor you and your vitals around the clock to ensure your safety and comfort.
As you begin to exhibit withdrawal symptoms, doctors and nurses can administer medically assisted treatment to ease symptoms and cravings. If you are at risk for dangerous or life-threatening withdrawal symptoms, the medical team may begin to administer preventative medications such as anticonvulsants, antipsychotics, beta blockers, and IV fluids. Withdrawal symptoms from most substances begin within hours after your last dose or drink and may last from 3 to 10 days or more.
Occasionally, some people may experience lingering, mild withdrawal symptoms lasting for weeks or months after initial drug and alcohol detox, referred to as post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS). The most common symptoms associated with PAWS include anxiety, insomnia, and depression. Medically assisted treatment such as anti-anxiety, antidepressants, and sedative medications can help manage these symptoms while you learn and incorporate new coping skills and tools through psychotherapy.
Some medications you may expect during MAT include:
- Methadone – a long lasting opioid agonist to help relieve opioid cravings and reduce withdrawal symptoms.
- Buprenorphine – medication used in opioid withdrawals to reduce cravings.
- Naltrexone – used in early stages of recovery and relapse prevention, it reduces the pleasurable effects of alcohol and opioids.
- Benzodiazepine – used as anti-seizure medications as well as sedatives during drug and alcohol detox.
- Disulfiram – works by blocking the breakdown of alcohol in the body which causes the individual to feel really sick when taking this medication and ingesting alcohol which can be a deterrent for those wanting to stop drinking.
Union First Helps Our Clients Keep Their Job While Undergoing Behavioral Health Treatment
Individuals struggling with substance abuse or addiction frequently continue holding the job and may even be highly successful in their career. It is common for people to use substance abuse as a way to deal with stressors from their work which can lead to drug and alcohol dependence and even addiction. Often these people put off getting addiction treatment because of several barriers including taking time off work. They may fear losing their job due to their employer finding out about their substance use issues or because they needed to take an extended period of time off to enter a rehab program.
Most workers are unaware about federal and state labor laws that protect their employment when dealing with their substance abuse issues. These include the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) which protect an individual’s job, salary column benefits, and more when they are struggling with substance use disorder. These laws may allow you to take up to three months off of work to enter a drug and alcohol rehabilitation program. They also protect you against discrimination in the workplace due to mental health and substance use disorders.
Even though these federal labor laws protect you, many employers and even employees are not aware of workers rights. There are also several loopholes which employers can use to deny your rights. Our experts at Union First know how to use these laws to fight for your job when seeking drug and alcohol addiction treatment. We can help guide you through the process of ensuring your job will stay the same while you enter rehab and advocate for you during your addiction treatment so you can have Peace of Mind and focus solely on your recovery efforts. Our job protection services also include submitting a “placement in treatment letter” to your employer.
Why Choose Union First for Medically Assisted Treatment for Addiction?
Choosing Union First can make the process of finding the right addiction treatment center easier and quicker. We help union workers, public service employees, and their families find addiction treatment in Boston while protecting their employment. When you call Union First, we will conduct an initial evaluation on your case to determine your recovery goals and treatment program needs. We can walk you through several recovery programs, rehab centers, and match you with top rated treatment facilities in Boston. You can have Peace of Mind that you will be entering the best recovery program for your unique needs and that your job will be waiting for you when you graduate drug and alcohol rehab.
Using union first will provide you with a team of experts who have your back throughout the recovery process and for anything else you may need in the future. We are available 24/7 to support you and your family for any substance abuse and mental health treatment needs. Because our team’s only concern is your well-being, you can trust that our advice and help is in your own best interest. You also have access to our telehealth services which can get you an appointment with a mental health counselor who fits your needs and takes your insurance within 24 to 48 hours.
We are the first employee assistance program that provides behavioral health services and job protection to union members and their families. If you need help with drug or alcohol addiction treatment, please give us a call. Our representatives are available around the clock to take your call and answer any questions you may have.
