Nicholas Atanasoff, Psychiatrist: Common Misconceptions on Medication-Assisted Treatment

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.