Medically Assisted Treatment Program in Philadelphia
Most union members in Philadelphia have access to healthcare policies that support employees with substance abuse disorders or mental health conditions, including for opioid use disorders. Because of these policies, union members have access to more affordable and comprehensive substance abuse and mental health services than if they were not unionized. Most union memberships come with several benefits, including better wages and job benefits, job security and employee rights, and safer working conditions.
Often, union members in Delaware County are not aware of the extent of their substance abuse treatment coverage or their right to seek addiction treatment without discrimination or having their privacy violated. It can be confusing to navigate the addiction and mental health treatment options, including which drug and alcohol use disorders centers fit your needs and what are the steps for getting help for alcohol or drug use disorders, or mental health disorders.
Union First can help union members in Philadelphia make the right choices when it comes to their addiction recovery and mental health access treatment, while also educating them about their workplace rights. We also help make sure that your employment status is protected while you are receiving drug use disorder treatments, no matter how long the treatment may be.
Several prescription medications are used in addiction treatment, especially at the beginning of the recovery process. One of the components of substance abuse addiction is drug and alcohol detox. Although many attempts to detox on their own, it is not the best idea. Certain substances, such as alcohol, can cause very dangerous or even life-threatening withdrawal symptoms. However, by going through a medically assisted detox in a treatment facility, you can be monitored 24/7 and given medications that can help ease withdrawal symptoms and ensure safety.
Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) is used in other stages of the drug abuse treatment program as well. It is used in conjunction with other evidence-based treatments like psychotherapy to treat various co-occurring disorders. MAT can be part of a rehab center’s dual diagnosis program, as a way to help mental health disorders that may be present along with drug or alcohol addiction.
If you are a union member with a drug or alcohol use disorder or mental health disorder, you may be interested in Medication Assisted Treatment in Philadelphia. Union First can help you find the right treatment program and help protect your job if you decide that inpatient treatment may be best for you. You may not be aware of how your union healthcare policy may offer better addiction treatment and healthcare coverage than you were aware. We can help you find the best treatment options your policy will cover.
What is MAT?
Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) is a method of drug and alcohol abuse treatment that uses medication along with behavioral therapy to address several aspects of substance use disorder. MAT treatment programs are always tailored to every client’s needs. Medication Assisted treatment can be especially beneficial for those dealing with physically addictive substances, such as alcohol, prescription opioid, and illicit drugs, such as heroin.
Medication-assisted treatment can be used in several stages of addiction treatment and for a broad range of purposes, including:
- Eliminating the substance’s ability to create a high
- Stopping drug and alcohol cravings early in recovery
- Cause a deterrence to use substances by triggering adverse side effects with the addictive substance is consumed
- Alleviating withdrawal symptoms during detox as well as ensuring safety
- Treating co-occurring disorders such as depression and anxiety
MAT is used in conjunction with other traditional forms of addiction treatment, including individual therapy and group therapy. Medication-assisted treatment is there to help the physical parts of substance abuse, but the psychological and root causes of alcohol and drug use disorders still need to be addressed. With a combination of both MAT and counseling, patients can understand the root cause of their addiction, while eliminating many of the initial uncomfortable symptoms and cravings that are present during recovery.
Medication Assisted Treatment can be life-saving for some. Certain substances, including opioids, alcohol, and anti-anxiety medications can pose life-threatening withdrawal symptoms like seizures. Generally, the longer or more severe the addiction, the more likely these dangerous symptoms will appear. There is absolutely no way to predict who will get the worse seizures, so it is best to go through detox at a treatment facility when coming off of these substances.
What to Expect During MAT?
Medication Assisted Treatment is most commonly used during the beginning stages of substance use disorder treatment. When you check into a treatment facility for drug and alcohol detox in Philadelphia, a team made up of medical professionals will do a thorough psychological and physical examination. They can create an individualized treatment plan based on this information and have a better idea of what to expect during your withdrawal process.
Once you have checked into your room, the same medical staff will monitor you and your vitals around the clock to ensure your safety and comfort. Once you start exhibiting withdrawal symptoms, nurses and doctors can administer medications to ease the symptoms. Some of the medications you may be given during this time are anti-nausea medications, anti-seizure medications, sedatives to help with insomnia, and intravenous fluids for dehydration. Withdrawal symptoms can appear just hours after taking the substance and last from 3 to 10 days or even more.
Sometimes, more mild withdrawal symptoms can last for several weeks or months. Usually, these symptoms include insomnia, anxiety, and depression. There are several sedatives, anti-anxiety medications, and anti-depressants that can help with these medications in the long run. These may also be symptoms that were present before the addiction started and may even be the cause of your substance use disorder. Through medication-assisted treatment and counseling, you can manage these mental health and substance use disorders, which may help prevent a relapse.
Medications Used in MAT
Some of the more common medications you will see in medication-assisted treatment include:
Methadone – is used in opioid use disorders as a long-lasting opioid agonist, it attaches to the same receptors as other opioids but without causing a high. It can help relieve the individuals’ physiological opioid cravings and normalize the body’s functions so that they don’t experience withdrawals.
Buprenorphine – a partial opioid agonist, used to bind to opioid receptors but activates them less strongly, which can reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms without dramatic highs, can help opioid use disorders
Naltrexone – opioid blocker that can help reduce pleasurable effects of alcohol, but also used in opioid use disorders
Benzodiazepines – can be used as anti-seizure medications, as well as anti-anxiety
Narcan – is used for opioid overdose prevention
Disulfiram – works by blocking the breakdown of alcohol in the body, which causes people who drink to feel really sick while taking this medication. It can deter people from drinking.
All these medications are FDA approved for the treatment of addiction and can be prescribed at any stage of recovery.
Union First Helps Our Clients Keep Their Job While Undergoing Behavioral Health Treatment
Receiving adequate substance abuse treatment in Philadelphia sometimes requires inpatient care, even if it is for a short period of time. However, some people may feel they cannot take this time off of work or their employer won’t let them. It is never okay to have to choose between keeping your job or getting lifesaving medical care. Addiction is a chronic, progressive disease that without adequate medical intervention, could be lethal. The time to get help is now before substance abuse gets worse.
Even though there are federal laws that protect your job status while you receive addiction and behavioral health treatment, many employers and even employees are not aware of this. As a member of Union First, we will make sure your job is protected while you receive addiction treatment.
Many individuals still feel there is a lot of stigma around getting addiction treatment or mental health treatment. They could be fearful of losing their job based on their employer finding out they were dealing with mental health or substance abuse disorder. However, Union First will help to fight for your privacy and help you keep your job even if this does become an issue with your employer.
Why Choose Union First for Medically Assisted Treatment for Addiction
Trying to research and determine the right addiction treatment center can be a long and difficult task, especially when you are already struggling with a substance abuse disorder. Choosing Union First for your Medically Assisted Treatment for alcohol and drug misuse can help ensure you are going to the best treatment center in Philadelphia for your needs. We will look at your case thoroughly and determine which treatment center in our network of trusted and reputable treatment facilities will be your best fit. Also, we can look at your health insurance policy and find the best treatment possible for you.
We are the first employee assistance program that provides behavioral health services and job protection to union members and their families. You will also receive help from a team that will protect your employment while you receive substance abuse treatment. You can trust your privacy and your best interest will always be protected with us. If you or someone you love is struggling with alcohol and drug addiction, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We are always ready to help start your road to recovery.