In 2022, more than 2,000 people in Virginia died from an opioid overdose. The opioid epidemic has taken far too many lives from the people of Appalachia. Many of these people were living with opioid use disorder (OUD). With the right treatment and support, people recover from OUD and live healthy, fulfilling lives. By dealing with the opioid epidemic that has ravaged our community, we can save thousands of lives.
At ReVida® Recovery, we see a future where there are 0 deaths from opioid overdose. But we can’t do it alone. Ending the opioid epidemic will take effort from the entire community.
Understanding the role of MAT clinics in your community is fundamental to understanding how to work together.
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What Are MAT Clinics?
MAT clinics are where clients go to receive medication-assisted treatment and other treatments to aid in their recovery from OUD. MAT clinics are a space where anyone living with OUD should be able to feel safe and respected while receiving treatment. Regardless of your experiences before treatment, MAT clinics are judgment-free zones focused on healing and positive change.
Many MAT clinics provide group and individual therapy in addition to medication. Individual therapy is designed to empower you to work through the root cause of your OUD with a trusted professional. Group therapy is also useful because it shows you that you’re not alone in your experiences. In group therapy, you learn from one another and support each other in recovery.
What Is MAT?
MAT is an effective, evidence-based way to treat OUD. At ReVida® Recovery, we use two medications: Suboxone and Sublocade. Suboxone comes in the form of tablets and films that are placed under the tongue and taken daily. Sublocade is administered once a month by a doctor in the form of a shot.
Both of these medications work by improving withdrawal symptoms, reducing cravings, and even preventing you from feeling the full effects of opioids.
How MAT Clinics Help People
MAT clinics help people by providing them with the support they need to be successful in their recovery from OUD. Medication is an extremely useful tool for treating OUD, especially early in recovery. Withdrawal symptoms and cravings are two of the biggest reasons that people return to use. By reducing those symptoms, MAT improves outcomes for people in recovery. This isn’t just based on our observations. In studies, Suboxone treatment has been shown to improve outcomes for people with OUD substantially.
Medication is just one aspect of what MAT clinics do to help people. MAT is most effective when it’s used in combination with therapies, as stated above. MAT clinics also provide people with connections to other people who are working toward a life without opioids. This sense of community is important when you’re in recovery. Often, OUD feels very isolating. It can be difficult to believe that it’s not just you. There are people in your community who have similar experiences.
Recovering from OUD impacts practically every aspect of someone’s life. That’s why, at ReVida® Recovery, we also set you up with a care coordinator who will connect you with additional resources like SNAP, housing, and employment opportunities. Your care coordinator can also help you deal with court letters, custody proceedings, and other legal issues related to substance use.
What Is the Role of MAT Clinics in Your Community?
MAT clinics are a vital part of fighting the opioid epidemic that has been plaguing communities across the country for years. Even if you personally do not have OUD, there are still many benefits to having a MAT clinic in your community.
Here are 3 ways that MAT clinics like ReVida® Recovery benefit the community as a whole:
- Providing financial assistance for uninsured and underinsured people. At ReVida®, we understand that access to OUD is lifesaving, and we don’t want people to miss out on treatment because they can’t afford it. That’s why we provide financial assistance that can cover up to the whole cost of treatment.
- Working with community partners to raise awareness and reach more people. At ReVida® Recovery, we work with other organizations within our local communities to ensure we’re reaching as many people as possible and connecting them with all of the resources they need. We partner with The United Way, Appalachian Mountain Project Access, C.H.I.P.S. Family Violence Center, and more.
- Providing education and resources about OUD. There are lots of myths and misinformation about what OUD is, how to identify it, and the best way to treat it. ReVida® Recovery works to provide information that educates the community on the realities of OUD.
A lot of people believe that OUD couldn’t affect them, but the truth is that OUD doesn’t discriminate. Whether you know it or not, there are people in your community who could benefit from treatment at a MAT clinic.
How You Can Get Help from a MAT Clinic
The first step you should take to receive care at a MAT clinic is to call. When you call, you’ll speak to a trained admission specialist. They’ll ask you a few basic questions and answer your initial questions as well. Then your first appointment will be scheduled for as early as the next day.
At your first appointment, you’ll meet with staff for an initial interview. During that time, you’ll discuss program guidelines, payment options, and insurance information. Then, you’ll meet with your MAT doctor.
You and your doctor will discuss your medical history and specific goals for treatment. Sometimes, people feel awkward answering questions about their experience with OUD. If that’s the case for you, it’s okay. Just remember that your doctor is there to help you, not make you feel ashamed. They ask these questions so they can provide you with the best care possible.
Your doctor will also perform a physical and collect a urine sample in order to determine your baseline health. Together, the two of you will determine a treatment plan and decide on the medication that’s best for you.
What to Expect at a MAT Clinic Visit
At MAT clinics, you can expect a safe, clean environment where you’ll be treated with respect. At most MAT visits, you’ll meet with three different people: your doctor, therapist, and care coordinator. This team of professionals will help you manage your physical health symptoms, psychological well-being, and the resources you need outside the clinic.
Recovery isn’t something you get through quickly. It requires a long-term commitment. Over time, you’ll get to know your care team. Your team will work to adjust your treatment methods as your needs change.
During your time at ReVida® Recovery, you’ll also meet other people with similar experiences. All of the patients at our facility receive MAT treatment. Group therapy at ReVIDA® Recovery will also help you build a wider support network.
What Is the Goal of MAT Clinics?
The goal of MAT clinics is to make recovery more attainable for individuals with OUD.. Through hard work and determination, each of our patients improves their quality of life. We provide them with the guidance, support, and tools they need to do so.
We are working to end the opioid epidemic by treating one person at a time.
ReVIDA® Recovery MAT Clinics in Appalachia
Over the last several years, Appalachia has been hit hard by the opioid epidemic. The people in our community need support to live a life free of opioids.
MAT clinics play an important role in providing that support. If you or someone you love is living with OUD, treatment can help. If you’ve been trying to stop using opioids but can’t manage it on your own, medication assisted treatment is one tool that will help you get there. When used in combination with therapy and community assistance programs, your chances of recovery improve exponentially. You are capable of reclaiming your life from OUD, you just need the right tools.
If you or someone you love is managing an opioid use disorder, help is here in Appalachia. ReVIDA® Recovery provides treatment options for all opioid use disorders, including Suboxone and/or Sublocade treatment along with daily therapies. Each of our facilities accepts commercial insurance as well as Medicaid, easing access to treatment all throughout Tennessee and Virginia. Call us today at 423-631-0432 to learn more about our program offerings.
Reclaim your life.
