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A Comprehensive Overview of Medication Assisted Treatment

01/31/2023 R.C. Liley Leave a comment

Medication assisted treatment (MAT) is a type of treatment for individuals with substance use disorders. It combines the use of medications with counseling services to help individuals achieve long-term recovery from their addictions. MAT is a comprehensive approach that can address addiction on multiple levels, including physical, psychological, behavioral, and social. Let’s explore how medication assisted treatment works.

How Does MAT Work?

The main component of MAT is medication. To treat opioid use disorder, three medications are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA): methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone. These medications work by binding to specific receptors in the brain that are affected by opioids such as heroin or prescription painkillers like oxycodone or hydrocodone. By blocking these receptors, these medications prevent the euphoric effects associated with opioid drugs and also reduce cravings for opioids so that a person can focus on their recovery without being distracted by thoughts about using drugs again.

In addition to medication, MAT also includes counseling and other forms of psychosocial therapy. Counseling helps people identify triggers for substance abuse and develop coping skills to manage cravings or difficult situations without resorting to drug use. Other types of therapy such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can help a person learn how to identify negative patterns of thought and behavior associated with addiction so they can be better prepared to make healthier choices in the future.

These elements combine together to create an effective treatment plan tailored specifically for each individual’s needs. With the right combination of medication, counseling, peer support groups, lifestyle changes, and other resources such as job training programs or housing assistance services, MAT can help people struggling with addiction achieve long-term recovery success.

Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment

There are many benefits associated with medication-assisted treatment. First, MAT can help reduce cravings, which can be incredibly difficult to manage on your own. Cravings are an intense physiological response that often lead people back into using drugs or alcohol even if they don’t want to. By taking medications, you can reduce these cravings, which makes it easier for you to remain abstinent from drugs or alcohol. Additionally, MAT also helps reduce withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, headaches, muscle aches, anxiety, depression and more. This makes it easier for individuals to maintain their abstinence without having to deal with uncomfortable physical symptoms.

Second, MAT helps individuals stay in treatment longer than they would otherwise be able to without medication support. Studies have shown that individuals who receive medication-assisted treatment are much more likely to complete their treatment programs than those who do not receive any type of medication therapy at all. This means that individuals who receive MAT will be much more likely to get the full benefit from their treatments – something that cannot always be said when only relying on counseling alone. Finally, MAT also helps increase safety during recovery by reducing the risk of relapse or overdose due to decreased tolerance levels when taking medications prescribed by a physician or other healthcare provider.

Medications Used in MAT

Some common medications used during medication assisted treatment include buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone), methadone (Methadose), naltrexone (Vivitrol), acamprosate (Campral), disulfiram (Antabuse), topiramate (Topamax), and fluoxetine (Prozac). Different medications may be prescribed depending on an individual’s specific needs and goals for recovery. It’s important to talk with your doctor about which medication is right for you before starting any type of medication assisted treatment program.

Overall, medication assisted treatment is a comprehensive approach to treating substance use disorder that involves both medication management and psychotherapy services to best meet an individual’s needs for long-term recovery from addiction. While this type of treatment may not be right for everyone, it can be incredibly beneficial if used correctly as part of an effective addiction recovery plan. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction or is looking into different types of treatments available, consider discussing the option of MAT with your doctor or healthcare provider today.

Going Healthy, Health, Lifestyle, Parenting

Health Habits Parents Need To Start With Early

01/26/2023 R.C. Liley Leave a comment

Every one of us has some bad habits that we would rather not. In fact, you may have experienced how difficult those habits can be to get away from and this can be the case because they have been ingrained in us since childhood. Rather than letting your kids pick up bad habits that they would rather get rid of, here are a few healthier habits that you can ingrain into them while they’re still young.

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Get up and get moving

Exercise is one of the most difficult habits for even adults to pick up, themselves when they’re not accustomed to it. Getting the motivation and getting used to being more active can be quite the hurdle. Your kids are likely to already be quite active, with playtime doing a lot to keep them moving for the first few years. However, as they get older, if they’re not getting into sports teams, then it’s a good idea to find ways to be active together. Whether it’s with bike rides, walks, or anything else, your kids are a lot more to keep up if you’re there taking part with them.

Taking care of their teeth

The impact that dental neglect can have on a child’s self-esteem and confidence in the future can be devastating. Your child isn’t to blame if this happens, it’s usually due to a poor enforcement of dental hygiene habits as a child. Make sure that you visit the dentist with them early and often, taking care of their teeth and getting all of the oral care advice that you need. If they get into the routine of brushing, and then later flossing and rinsing once they have their adult teeth, it’s not a habit that they’re likely to lose as they get older. If they don’t get that habit early, they might not get it at all.

Making good eating choices

A lot of parents feed their kids all manner of unhealthy snacks, like candy, soda, chips, and more, that are going to do very little to give their body the nutrients it needs. It’s easy to use snacks as a reward or a way to placate them. However, these can soon become everyday parts of their lifestyle. You should start making efforts to direct the family’s diet in a healthier direction. Employ some helpful tricks such as offering choices of healthy foods and finding vegetable alternatives to ensure they’re eating better.

Recognizing risks

Children do not have the same sense of risk or danger that adults have. In a lot of cases, they may not truly get the consequences of certain health risks until they experience them. However, while trying not to give them a fearful disposition, you should try to teach them to recognize and avoid potentially harmful things. There are plenty of good kids’ books about these.

If you can turn good health practices into learned behaviors for your kids, they’re a lot more likely to stick with them as they go through life. Keep that in mind with the tips above.

Going Healthy, Going Strong, Health, Parenting, Tips

How to Help Your Kids Achieve Strong, Healthy Teeth and Gums

01/21/2023 R.C. Liley Leave a comment

When it comes to oral health, there’s no substitute for good habits. Kids need proper dental hygiene and regular check-ups to ensure their teeth and gums stay healthy. Parents play a significant role in helping their children achieve strong and healthy teeth and gums, especially when they are young. If parents take the right steps early on, they can set their kids up for a lifetime of healthier smiles. Here’s how:

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Via Pexels

Brush and Floss:

Making brushing and flossing part of your child’s daily routine can help them establish good dental habits that will last them a lifetime. Therefore, it’s important to teach your children the importance of keeping their mouths clean every day by brushing twice a day and flossing once a day.

Make sure that you buy age-appropriate toothpaste and brushes for your kids, as they are specially formulated to help protect their growing teeth. Showing them how to brush properly will also be beneficial: have them start on the outside of each tooth, then use a circular motion around the inside.

Eat Healthily:

A healthy diet is essential for strong teeth and gums. Limiting sugary snacks and drinks will help your child avoid cavities and other dental issues. Instead, please encourage them to eat more crunchy fruits and vegetables, which can act as natural toothbrushes in the mouth, scraping away plaque and bacteria. An apple, for example, can help stimulate saliva production and cleanse the mouth of harmful bacteria.

Visit the Dentist:

Routine trips to the dentist are an essential part of keeping oral health in check. While it’s normal for children to feel anxious about visiting the dentist, it’s important you take them to the dentist twice a year for regular cleanings. Regular visits will help keep their teeth and gums in top condition and also give the dentist an opportunity to spot any potential issues early on.

Use Fluoride:

Fluoride is a mineral that is essential for strong teeth and gums. Fluoride needs to be ingested daily in order to keep teeth healthy and prevent cavities. Fluoride also helps strengthen your children’s tooth enamel, making it more resistant to decay. You can ensure that your kids are getting enough fluoride by giving them water from the tap or using fluoride-containing toothpaste and mouthwash when brushing their teeth.

Check for Signs of Gum Disease:

Gum disease is a serious condition that can cause pain and discomfort, as well as tooth loss. As part of your child’s regular check-ups with the dentist, you should ask them to screen for signs of gum disease. If caught early on, it can be treated effectively with antibiotics and other treatments. Symptoms include bad breath, red or swollen gums, bleeding when brushing or flossing, receding gums, and loose teeth.

Taking these steps will help ensure your child’s teeth and gums stay healthy from early on. As a parent, it’s essential to lead by example and develop good dental habits yourselves. By setting a good example, your children will learn the importance of looking after their teeth—setting them up for healthier smiles in the future.