OPIOID ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTERS
True North is a CARF-accredited substance use disorder treatment program, providing outpatient medication-assisted treatment via medication, counseling and community-based services.
The What and Why of MAT
What is MAT?
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is an evidence-based method that combines behavioral therapies and medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat opioid use disorder (OUD), alcohol use disorder or nicotine use disorder.
There are three FDA-approved medications for the treatment of OUD.
- Buprenorphine
- Methadone
- Naltrexone
Addiction treatment experts consider MAT to be the gold standard of care for the treatment of OUD.
How MAT for opioid use works:
Long-lasting changes in brain chemistry can make it difficult for people with OUD to abstain from using opioids because physical withdrawal symptoms and cravings can be overwhelming. MAT can help reduce the symptoms of opioid withdrawal and curb opioid cravings that can lead to relapse.
What the evidence shows:
- Evidence shows that MAT is effective in treating OUD, reducing drug-related disease and criminal recidivism and more effective than either behavioral interventions or medication alone in treating OUD.
- According to the American Society of Addiction (ASAM), individuals receiving MAT as part of their OUD treatment are 75 percent less likely to die from a drug overdose than those not receiving MAT.
- Facilitating patient access to MAT when medically appropriate can reduce overdose deaths.
FACT:
When used appropriately, medications used to treat addiction are not addicting, as they do not cause patients to use them compulsively or in an unhealthy way. Rather, these medications support patients in their recovery. Patients taking medications to treat addiction should be considered in recovery. Characterizing certain medications as “addictive” is confusing to people who don’t understand how these medications work and perpetuates stigma against patients with addiction.
Evidence Based Practices
Research shows that medication-assisted treatment (or MAT) is the gold standard for treating opioid use disorder.
True North offers FDA-approved medications including methadone, buprenorphine (Suboxone®/Subutex®/Sublocade™), and naltrexone (Vivitrol®), combined with counseling, in a judgement-free, compassionate environment.
Patient Centered Care
We provide individualized treatment plans, tailored to your specific needs. Our providers will work with you to determine the best medication and counseling services for you.
We also offer a variety of alternative therapies at select locations – check with your local clinic to find out what is available!
Our Services
Methadone Maintenance
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Buprenorphine
(Suboxone and Sublocade)
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Vivitrol
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