Nicholas Atanasoff, psychiatrist, knows the power of medication
when it comes to achieving successful opioid addiction recovery – a tool that
makes it possible not only to suppress the cravings and withdrawal symptoms
that make treatment so challenging, but that also provides the patient a better
opportunity for obtaining a successful, lasting outcome.
However, he also understands the many common misconceptions
people have about Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) – those which may often
discourage addicts and their families from seeking help that can really make a
positive difference in their lives. Some of these misconceptions regarding MAT
include:
·
It just
substitutes one pill for another. In actuality, safe, carefully-monitored
MAT programs can help relieve withdrawal symptoms far more quickly than
traditional recovery programs.
·
It
distracts from “real” recovery. The fact is the MAT can actually make
recovery safer and more humane, providing a safety net that allows the patient
to focus on changing the behaviors that led to addiction in the first place.
