Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) for Teens & Adolescents
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Overview
For many teenagers, the fear of withdrawal is one of the biggest obstacles standing between them and treatment. The physical discomfort and psychological distress that accompany withdrawal can feel insurmountable, and for some adolescents that fear alone is enough to prevent them from taking the first step toward recovery. Medication assisted treatment offers a clinically supported way to reduce that barrier, making the early stages of treatment more manageable and improving the likelihood of long-term success.
If a teenager in your life could benefit from a MAT program, The Plymouth House is here to help. Our medical and clinical staff are highly experienced in the safe and effective use of MAT as part of a comprehensive adolescent treatment approach, and every aspect of our care meets the highest standards in the field.
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What Is Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)?
Medication assisted treatment is a broad clinical term describing the use of FDA-approved prescription medications as part of the treatment of a substance use disorder. While MAT can take various forms depending on the individual’s needs, it is most commonly used in the treatment of opioid and alcohol use disorders. These medications are designed specifically to address the physical and psychological dimensions of substance dependence, reducing withdrawal symptoms, managing cravings, and supporting the overall recovery process.
For teenagers dealing with opioid use disorders in particular, the challenge of recovery extends well beyond the initial detox period. Cravings can persist long after the physical withdrawal process ends, and without adequate support they frequently lead to relapse. MAT provides a pharmacological bridge that helps teenagers manage these cravings during one of the most vulnerable phases of their recovery.
The Role of MAT in Adolescent & Teen Substance Use Treatment
Adolescent substance use treatment involves considerations that are distinct from adult care. A teenager’s still-developing physiology, their motivational landscape, and the social pressures unique to adolescence all shape how treatment needs to be approached. MAT addresses many of the physical and psychological obstacles that can derail a teenager’s engagement with treatment, giving program participants a stronger foundation for meaningful and lasting recovery.
Detox & Medication Assisted Treatment for Withdrawal
When a person uses a substance regularly over time, their body adapts to its presence. When use is suddenly stopped or significantly reduced, the body begins the process of readjustment, a period known as withdrawal. Withdrawal symptoms can range from deeply uncomfortable to medically dangerous depending on the substance involved, and they often require clinical supervision and support.
MAT employs specific medications that interact with the brain and body to reduce the severity of withdrawal symptoms, making the detox process safer and more tolerable. By lowering the intensity of physical discomfort and psychological distress during this critical window, MAT helps teenagers stay engaged with the treatment process rather than abandoning it to escape the pain of withdrawal.
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Medications Used to Treat Substance Use Disorder (SUD) & Dependence
MAT protocols are tailored to the specific substance involved and the individual needs of each patient. Different substances produce distinct withdrawal profiles, and medication selection reflects those differences.
Opioid Dependence
The most common application of MAT is in the treatment of opioid use disorders. Opioid misuse can involve prescription opioids as well as illicit opioids like heroin.
Frequently used medications for the opioid MAT process include:
- Subutex — A partial opioid agonist intended to satisfy the brain’s craving for an opioid and allows the person to avoid severe withdrawal symptoms.
- Suboxone — Another commonly used opioid agonist containing Naloxone, a medication that reverses the effect of opioid use.
- Vivitrol — Mitigates cravings associated with opioid misuse after the detox process has been completed.
Alcohol Dependence
Alcohol withdrawal is one of the only types of withdrawal that can be life-threatening. This is because the central nervous system goes into shock when alcohol use is suddenly stopped. Alcohol withdrawal can produce tremors, hallucinations and grand mal seizures.
Frequently used medications for the alcohol MAT process include:
- Librium — This medication allows for the central nervous system to remain calm allowing the body to slowly wean off of alcohol.
- Serax — This medication is similar to Librium in its effect, but places less stress on the liver.
- Antabuse (Disulfiram) — This medication is intended to prevent the body from metabolizing alcohol and leading to the “drunk” feeling.
Benzodiazepine Dependence
Benzodiazepines belong to a class of medications known as sedative-hypnotics. These substances are typically prescribed for anxiety and sleep related disorders, but can be potentially life threatening when abruptly stopped. Typical protocols for detoxing from benzodiazepine dependence involve replacing the substance of choice with a safe alternative and slowly tapering the dose down until it is safe to stop completely.
These medications can include:
- Clonazepam — This benzodiazepine will have similar effects to others but possesses a longer half life. This will help ease the user’s withdrawal symptoms.
- Diazepam — This medication also carries a long half life and is often used as a replacement to Clonazepam if it is unavailable.
Stimulant Dependence
There are currently no approved medications for the treatment of stimulant dependence. Typically the withdrawal symptoms for stimulant dependence are more mild than those of other substances and can be addressed through proper sleep and nutrition.
Are MAT Medications Safe & Effective for Young Adults?
Every medication used in The Plymouth House’s MAT program is approved by the Food and Drug Administration, meaning it has undergone rigorous testing for both safety and effectiveness. As with any medical treatment, side effects are possible, which is why all MAT at The Plymouth House is overseen by qualified medical professionals who monitor each patient’s response throughout the process and adjust the approach as needed.
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Medication-Assisted Treatment as a First Step to a Treatment & Recovery Program
For many teenagers, beginning with MAT is what makes the rest of the recovery journey possible. The withdrawal process is a formidable obstacle, and the medications used in MAT are specifically designed to reduce its intensity and make it more survivable. By lowering the physical and psychological barriers of early recovery, MAT helps teenagers follow through with the subsequent phases of treatment rather than stepping away before the real work has begun. At The Plymouth House, MAT is not a standalone solution but a powerful first step within a comprehensive, whole-person treatment approach.
