Ready to finally find alcohol addiction treatments that actually work?
Millions of Americans suffer from alcohol use disorder every year, but here’s something you probably don’t know…
Shockingly, just 2.0% of the 28.1 million adults with alcohol use disorder received medication-assisted treatment in 2023. That means 27.5 million Americans don’t have access to one of the most powerful approaches available today.
Here’s the deal:
Old-school alcoholism treatment tends to focus exclusively on willpower and counseling. But alcohol addiction is a medical condition, and it requires a medical solution. Without medication plus therapy, recovery rates continue to lag.
But here’s the good news.
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for alcohol use disorder is transforming everything we know about alcoholism recovery.
In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know:
- What Is Medication-Assisted Treatment for Alcoholism?
- Why MAT Works When Other Treatments Fail
- The 3 FDA-Approved Medications That Stop Cravings
- How to Find the Right MAT Program
Let’s get started.
What Is Medication-Assisted Treatment for Alcoholism?
Medication-assisted treatment is an approach to treating alcohol use disorder that combines FDA-approved medications with counseling and behavioral therapies.
MAT uses the same model for substance abuse as treatment for diabetes or high blood pressure. You use approved medications alongside counseling and lifestyle changes to manage the condition.
Essentially, the treatment targets the brain chemistry of alcohol addiction. Alcohol use disorder occurs when a person’s brain chemistry becomes completely unbalanced from months or years of drinking. Alcohol addiction treatment medications help rebalance brain chemistry while the person learns coping skills in therapy.
The concept itself is fairly straightforward:
- Medications help reduce cravings and eliminate the rewarding effects of alcohol
- Counseling is used to replace drinking with healthy coping mechanisms
- Support groups provide ongoing accountability and support
Simple, right?
So, what makes MAT different from other alcoholism treatment NJ options…
Why MAT Works When Other Treatments Fail
The number one reason people relapse?
Cravings.
Most traditional treatment programs focus on willpower and education. They teach people about the dangers of alcoholism, but then expect them to simply say no when cravings hit.
Except the thing is, it doesn’t work. Sobriety and willpower alone just aren’t enough when your brain is working against you.
MAT gets to the underlying cause by using FDA-approved medications that:
- Reduce the intensity of alcohol cravings
- Block the pleasurable effects of alcohol use
- Create negative physical reactions to alcohol use
- Help restore normal brain function
Research shows that 75% of people with alcohol use disorder recover from their addiction, and medication-assisted treatment significantly improves those odds by providing the biological support needed to stay clean and sober in early recovery.
Think about it this way…
If someone has a heart condition, would you tell them to just “try harder” to make their heart function properly? Of course not! You’d give them a medication that supported heart function while they made healthy lifestyle changes.
Alcohol addiction works the exact same way.
The 3 FDA-Approved Medications That Stop Cravings
The FDA has three powerful medications for treating alcohol use disorder. Each medication works in a different way, which allows doctors to choose the most effective one for each person’s situation.
Naltrexone: The Craving Blocker
- How it works: Blocks the euphoric effects of alcohol. The patient won’t feel a “buzz” or high, so they don’t have the motivation to drink.
- Best for: People who want to drink less or stop completely.
- Available as: Daily pill or once-a-month injection (Vivitrol).
Acamprosate: The Balance Restorer
- How it works: Helps restore the brain’s natural chemical balance, reducing anxiety and insomnia.
- Best for: People who have already stopped drinking alcohol.
- Timing: Starts 5 days after the last drink, full effect in 5-8 days.
Disulfiram: The Deterrent
- How it works: Causes severe hangover-like symptoms 10 minutes after drinking alcohol.
- Best for: Highly motivated people who need a strong deterrent to stop drinking.
- Important note: Must not drink alcohol 12 hours after taking this medication.
How MAT Transforms Recovery Success Rates
Did you know fewer than 1 in 10 people who seek treatment for alcohol use disorder actually receive any medication?
This is a huge opportunity because studies show MAT dramatically improves treatment outcomes for people with AUD.
The benefits of MAT include:
- Higher treatment completion rates as patients stay in treatment longer when medications reduce cravings
- Significantly lower relapse rates with biological support during the vulnerable early days of recovery
- Improved quality of life with reduced cravings giving people more mental energy to focus on therapy and changing behaviors
- Better long-term recovery outcomes as the combination of medication and therapy support long-lasting changes
Remember – medication is not the end-all-be-all of recovery. The most successful MAT programs combine prescription medication with:
- One-on-one counseling sessions
- Group therapy
- Family therapy when appropriate
- Support group meetings
- Ongoing medical monitoring
This type of comprehensive, integrated approach addresses the biological and behavioral aspects of addiction together.
Finding the Right MAT Program
Not all treatment centers offer medication-assisted treatment, which is part of the problem. If you’re seeking the most effective approach to treating AUD, there are a few things to look for in a quality MAT program:
The program should have doctors who specialize in addiction medicine and are experienced with MAT medications. The assessment should include an in-depth evaluation of medical history and drinking patterns, followed by an integrated treatment plan that combines medication with therapy such as CBT and relapse prevention.
Ongoing medical monitoring is important, too. Check your insurance coverage to make sure it includes both the medications and the treatment program.
The Future of Alcoholism Treatment
MAT is a fundamental shift in how we approach the treatment of alcoholism as a medical condition rather than a moral failing or weakness.
The numbers tell the story – people who receive proper medical treatment have much better recovery rates. With only 2% of people with AUD receiving MAT right now, there’s a huge opportunity to help more people get access to these life-changing treatments.
Taking Action on Your Recovery Journey
MAT is not the best approach for everyone, but it could be the missing ingredient in your recovery success story.
If you haven’t had success with traditional treatment or want the best chance of recovery possible, medication-assisted treatment is worth considering.
The key is finding a qualified program that can assess your situation and tailor a treatment plan that may include MAT along with counseling and support services.
Remember – AUD is a medical condition, and it responds to medical treatment. You don’t have to try to do it alone with willpower alone.
Wrapping It All Together
Medication-assisted treatment for alcohol use disorder is revolutionizing care by going to the root cause of the addiction.
The combination of FDA-approved medications that reduce cravings, block the effects of alcohol, or cause deterrent physical reactions provides the biological support people need in recovery. Add in evidence-based therapies, and you have the most effective treatment approach available today. Despite this, only 2% of Americans currently receive MAT, creating enormous potential to expand access to this life-saving treatment.
Don’t let outdated treatment approaches hold you back from the real solutions for AUD. Medication-assisted treatment offers real hope for lasting recovery by treating alcoholism as the medical condition it is.