The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) states that approximately 28.9 million people in the U.S. struggle with alcohol use disorder (AUD) each year. It’s a prevalent condition that affects many and requires proper treatment and support to recover.
One of the options that may be recommended during rehab is medication-assisted treatment (MAT). Alcohol rehab with MAT can help ease cravings and prevent relapse early on, so new clients can focus on recovery.
How does MAT for alcohol use disorder work? What does the process look like? We’ll cover what you should know and how we can help with alcohol addiction treatment at Genesis House so you feel educated before entering rehab.
What Is Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)?
Medication-assisted treatment for alcohol involves using FDA-approved medications during rehab to ease cravings and prevent relapse after someone stops drinking.
Taking alcohol addiction medications isn’t meant to replace therapy, life skill building, and other essential elements of rehab. Instead, it’s an extra tool to help those with moderate to severe alcohol addictions early in the process.
A study from the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment showed that cravings were heavily associated with alcohol use and relapse. However, when craving control methods were applied during treatment, such as coping mechanisms and medication assistance, participants showed much better control over alcohol use and maintaining sobriety.
Therefore, taking alcohol recovery medication early on can help you get over that initial hurdle of intense cravings while learning skills to maintain sobriety on your own for the long term.
MAT is a science-backed approach to alcohol addiction treatment and is endorsed by authorities like the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).
Medications Used for Alcohol Use Disorder
The FDA-approved medications for AUD are naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram. Here’s a quick overview of how each one can help.
Naltrexone (Vivitrol or Revia)
When you hear of naltrexone for alcoholism or the brand names Revia or Vivitrol for alcohol use disorder, it’s a medication that’s known as a narcotic blocker. Essentially, it’s a medication that helps block the effects of alcohol or other substances like heroin and codeine.
Therefore, someone who drinks while they’re taking naltrexone won’t feel the euphoric effects of alcohol. It acts as a deterrent to drinking and can help someone break the habit when recovering.
Studies also show that it can help reduce alcohol cravings and manage the brain’s reward system related to drinking to make the early stages of recovery easier.
Acamprosate (Campral)
Acamprosate, also known by the brand name Campral, is a medication that can help restore the chemical balance in the brain post-detox.
When someone drinks heavily for an extended duration, the brain can start to adapt to regularly having alcohol enter the body’s system. Particularly, it can slow the release of key neurotransmitters like GABA and glutamate that influence memory, learning, motor coordination, relaxation, and many other essential functions.
These effects on the brain can make someone who stops drinking feel off and like they can’t function normally without alcohol.
Clinical studies show that acamprosate can promote balance in neurotransmitters like GABA and glutamate to reduce those negative feelings and effects when someone stops drinking and make it easier for someone to maintain sobriety long term.
Additionally, it can help with general craving control in the short and long term after detox.
Disulfiram (Antabuse)
Disulfiram, known by the brand name Antabuse, takes a slightly different approach to deter drinking. Someone who drinks while taking disulfiram will start to feel physically ill, such as having nausea, vomiting, sweating, or flushing.
Essentially, feeling sick within minutes of drinking is meant to rework how someone feels about alcohol. It no longer feels like a rewarding substance to consume. Instead, you start to think of it as something that makes you feel physically ill.
Disulfiram is best for highly motivated clients. The effects of drinking while taking it can feel very unpleasant, and it’s essential to have support around you while on it to ensure proper medical care is given if or when those effects happen.
How MAT Supports Recovery from Alcohol Addiction
To quickly summarize each way that MAT helps with alcohol addiction:
- It reduces the risk of relapse by addressing cravings: Cravings are correlated with alcohol use and relapse, so taking a medication that reduces them helps ease the transition into sobriety while someone learns skills to manage addiction and maintain abstinence.
- Helps stabilize the brain: Medications like acamprosate can help stabilize the brain’s natural chemical balance to improve sense of well-being early in recovery.
- Allows you to focus on therapy and lifestyle change: When someone experiences strong cravings early in recovery, it can feel challenging to focus on following the treatment program. Managing cravings allows you to be fully present during therapy and skill building activities to effectively manage addiction going forward.
- Supports long-term recovery: Effects of MAT like balancing the brain’s chemical composition and changing how someone feels about alcohol use can help maintain abstinence long-term, even after stopping the medication. It’s important to follow a doctor’s recommendations to ensure MAT is as effective as possible.
Who Is a Good Candidate for MAT for Alcohol Use Disorder?
MAT will work best for:
- Individuals with moderate to severe AUD. Those with milder addictions tend to have less intense cravings that are easier to manage with therapy and lifestyle changes on their own.
- People who’ve relapsed multiple times. MAT is often recommended after relapsing several times to help manage cravings and change how someone feels about drinking.
- Those who experience strong cravings and withdrawals. When someone is showing signs of strong cravings or withdrawals, the treatment team may recommend MAT to help.
- Clients willing to participate in therapy alongside medication. MAT isn’t a quick fix for addiction. Clients still need to actively participate in therapy and make an effort to change their lifestyle to maintain sobriety going forward.
MAT isn’t for everyone. It’s important to consult with treatment providers before opting for medication assistance during rehab. We offer personalized assessments at Genesis House to help determine which treatment method is best for you.
How Genesis House Integrates MAT Into Treatment
When you begin treatment with us at Genesis House, we’ll start with a medical evaluation during intake to determine if MAT is appropriate. If MAT is used, the type of medication is based on your needs, the dosage will be controlled and monitored, and support is offered throughout in case you have concerns at any point.
We integrate MAT with a comprehensive treatment plan to ensure success. That includes:
- Individual and group therapy to develop coping strategies, connect, and work on underlying issues contributing to addiction
- Holistic care options like mindfulness, yoga, and nutrition coaching to reduce stress and build healthy habits for long-term success
- Relapse prevention planning to understand what to do when you experience triggers or have an urge to drink during daily life
Our treatment options at Genesis are tailored to you. We’ll help you find the right types of therapies, activities, and skill building opportunities that are best for your needs at each stage of recovery.
Addressing Myths and Stigma
Myths and stigmas about MAT can make some feel nervous about using medication during treatment. To help clarify some common concerns:
- MAT isn’t trading one drug for another. It’s a tool that can be used during addiction treatment to manage cravings and support recovery. Dosages are controlled and the goal is to learn how to manage addiction on your own.
- Medications for AUD don’t produce a high. They support stabilization and deter the use of alcohol.
- MAT is a valid medical treatment option approved by the FDA and supported in many clinical trials.
MAT isn’t for everyone, but it can be an effective part of an individualized recovery path for those who show common signs that it will help.
Conclusion
MAT is an option that can help those struggling with moderate to severe AUD. It’s an effective way to manage strong cravings, prevent relapse, and help those early in recovery focus on therapy and lifestyle change.
We offer MAT as an option for alcohol addiction treatment at Genesis House. When you work with us, our knowledgeable and friendly treatment staff will provide a full evaluation and help you determine which treatment path is right for your needs.
You can get in touch today to schedule a confidential consultation or learn more about our alcohol treatment options.
References
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. “Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) in the United States: Age Groups and Demographic Characteristics.” https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects-health/alcohol-topics/alcohol-facts-and-statistics/alcohol-use-disorder-aud-united-states-age-groups-and-demographic-characteristics
- Winslow, Bradford T., et al. “Medications for Alcohol Use Disorder.” American Family Physician, vol. 93, no. 6, 15 Mar. 2016, pp. 457–465, https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2016/0315/p457.html
- Browne, Kendall C., et al. “Alcohol Consumption, Craving, and Craving Control Efforts Assessed Daily in the Context of Readiness to Change among Individuals with Alcohol Dependence and PTSD.” Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, vol. 61, Feb. 2016, pp. 34–41, doi:10.1016/j.jsat.2015.09.005. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4695236/
- “Provider Information on Treatment Options.” Samhsa.gov, 2024, https://www.samhsa.gov/substance-use/treatment/options/medications
- Abuse, National Institute on Drug. “Treatment.” National Institute on Drug Abuse, 13 June 2014, https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/treatment
- Helstrom, Amy W., et al. “Reductions in Alcohol Craving Following Naltrexone Treatment for Heavy Drinking.” Alcohol and Alcoholism, vol. 51, no. 5, 11 July 2016, pp. 562–566, doi:10.1093/alcalc/agw038. https://academic.oup.com/alcalc/article-abstract/51/5/562/1740449?redirectedFrom=fulltext
- Witkiewitz, Katie, et al. “Acamprosate for Treatment of Alcohol Dependence: Mechanisms, Efficacy, and Clinical Utility.” Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management, vol. 8, Feb. 2012, p. 45, doi:10.2147/tcrm.s23184. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3277871/
