Medicine Men –
Nov. 26, 2019 – MAT utilizes FDA approved medications to treat patients with an opioid addiction. Methadone, one of the medications, changes how the brain and nervous system respond to pain. It lessens the painful symptoms of opiate withdrawal and blocks euphoric effects of opioid drugs such as heroin, morphine and codeine and semi-synthetic opiates like fentanyl, oxycodone, and hydrocodone. Methadone is offered in liquid form at the RCA site and prescribed as part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes counseling and participation in social support programs.
Another OUD medication, Suboxone, is administered as a film that is slipped under the tongue. Suboxone contains the active ingredients buprenorphine and naloxone (also called Narcan) which minimizes cravings so that patients stay in treatment. It also has a ceiling effect for protecting from overdose. The Delaware County Healthcare Clinic also provides detox services and treats pregnant women addicted to opioids.
