Restore and Rebuild
Our nation faces a crisis of overdose deaths from opioids, including heroin, illicit fentanyl, and prescription opioids. These deaths represent a mere fraction of the total number of Americans harmed by opioid misuse and addiction. Many Americans suffer daily from a chronic medical illness called “opioid addiction” or OUD. Family Life Center takes its responsibility to expand access to evidence-based, effective care for people with OUD very seriously.
Our goal of treatment for OUD is remission of the disorder leading to lasting recovery. Recovery is a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live self-directed lives, and strive to reach their full potential. We discuss medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-to treat OUD – and other strategies and services needed to support recovery for people with OUD.
Transition to Sobriety
Medication alleviates the cravings and physical symptoms of withdrawal – that is the first step. Recovery from OUD comes after detox, with a combination of medication and therapy. Our programs provide maintenance and medically supervised withdrawal that allow you to begin your recovery journey. The long-term goal for treatment is abstinence from substance use, but do not be intimidated by the wording: using medication to treat opioid addiction is an important step along the way.
For patients who have previously attempted to stop using opioids and relapsed, FDA approved medications can make the difference. The course of treatment you choose depends on your experience and current goals for treatment.
Family Life Center respects any choice you make.
We will listen. We will learn and we will collaborate with you to create your individualized plan of recovery.
MAT Effectiveness
In 2018, an estimated 2 million people had an opioid use disorder. MAT has proved to be clinically effective. MAT provides a more comprehensive, individually tailored program of medication and behavioral therapy that address the needs of most patients.
The ultimate goal of MAT is full recovery, including the ability to live a self-directed life. This treatment approach has been shown to:
- Improve patient survival
- Increase retention in treatment
- Decrease illicit opiate use and other criminal activity among people with substance use disorders
- Increase patients’ ability to gain and maintain employment
- Improve birth outcomes among women who have substance use disorders and are pregnant.
- Improves patient survival by reducing the risk of overdose
Research also shows that these medications and therapies can contribute to lowering a person’s risk of contracting HIV or hepatitis C by reducing the potential for relapse.
