If you or a loved one have been taking an opioid like heroin, morphine, oxycodone, or fentanyl, and have been trying to quit, it can be extremely difficult. If you’ve tried doing it on your own, and found you can’t, you may be looking into medication-assisted treatment (MAT).
It’s important to know that you’re not alone in your experience with opioids. Over 70,000 Tennessee residents are estimated to be experiencing an opioid use disorder (OUD). Living with OUD is not easy. It complicates your life, damages your relationships, and causes a lot of health issues. With the right support, recovery is always possible.
At ReVIDA® Recovery, we know OUD doesn’t just occur at random. Many people with OUD also experience a co-occurring mental health condition. That’s why we provide flexible outpatient therapy scheduling for every patient in MAT. This way, we treat both the physical and psychological components of OUD.
If you’re looking into starting MAT for the first time, you probably have a lot of questions. So, let’s get into what to expect at your first MAT visit.
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Preparing for Your First MAT Appointment at ReVIDA®
Before your first MAT appointment, you need to take a few steps. First, you’ll speak with one of our trained admission specialists. They will answer your initial questions in easy, understandable language and schedule your first appointment at our facility. That appointment could be as early as the next day.
To prepare for your first appointment, you need to consider any concerns you have or questions you want to ask. We recommend that you write them down or even bring a loved one with you to take notes on your behalf during the appointment.
The most common medication used to treat OUD is Suboxone. You cannot start Suboxone until after all opioids are out of your system. While the length of time it takes for opioids to exit your system depends on the substance, we typically recommend 72 hours before starting Suboxone. If you still have opioids in your system at the time of your first appointment, that’s okay. We will work with you to figure out a timeline that works for you.
Sometimes, it’s all patients can do to get themselves to their first appointment. That’s okay, too. We understand that ending substance use and starting recovery is a difficult journey. Getting yourself to your appointment is an important first step towards healing.
What You Will Learn At Your First MAT Appointment with ReVIDA® Recovery
Having a strong understanding of how MAT works means you can give informed consent when beginning your recovery journey.
You will start your first appointment with an initial interview. This will take place before you meet with your doctor. During this time, our staff will review insurance information, payment options, and program guidelines.
Then, you will meet with one of our trusted physicians who will go over several things. This will include your medical history and any previous treatment regimens for OUD. The doctor will explain the best treatment plan for you, what medications will work well for you, how you will feel on medication, the dose of medication you will be prescribed, and how long you can expect to be on medication.
You will have the opportunity to discuss your goals for treatment, and what you can do to work together to make that a reality.
What to Expect From Your First MAT Appointment: What Will Happen?
During your first appointment, it is important that you feel like you are in a safe environment. Some questions might feel uncomfortable, especially if you are dealing with a lot of shame in early recovery. You need to know that you are in a judgment-free zone and that everyone only wants you to have the best chance at recovery possible, regardless of your circumstances before treatment. At ReVIDA® Recovery, our staff creates a welcoming atmosphere where you can expect to be treated with care and respect.
At your first MAT appointment, you will have a physical exam to determine your current health needs and complete a substance use test to determine a benchmark. This will help your doctor decide on the best course for you.
After that, you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions about your treatment.
Things to Discuss With Your Doctor at Your First MAT Appointment: What Should I Ask?
It is important that you feel comfortable asking questions of your doctor and advocating for yourself during your appointments. There are no wrong questions. You should bring up anything you would like to know about treatment or are concerned about.
Common questions include:
- What should I do if I feel negative side effects?
- How does Suboxone work?
- What happens if I miss a dose?
- What else can I do to improve my chances of recovery?
- What are the alternatives if this medication doesn’t work for me?
- What happens if I need to adjust my medication dose?
The doctors at ReVIDAⓇ Recovery will answer any questions you have about your medication or treatment plan. We recommend bringing something to take notes with. If you think of additional questions after your appointment, reach out to our facility and we will connect you with someone on your care team who can answer your questions.
When You Will Receive Your Medications: What’s the Timeline?
When you receive your medications will depend on a couple of factors, including the last time you had opioids. In many cases, patients receive their prescriptions at their first appointment. If you have underlying medical conditions, you will need additional testing to determine the safest course of treatment for you.
Regardless, you will not be able to take your first dose of Suboxone until after you no longer have opioids in your system, to avoid a potential reaction. Opioids typically leave your system between 24-72 hours after your last dose, depending on the specific opioid.
You will know that there are no longer opioids in your system when you feel mild withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms often mimic those of the common flu.
Typically opioid withdrawal symptoms include body aches, chills, sweating, nausea and vomiting or diarrhea as well as cravings, fatigue, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping
The good news is that Suboxone eases withdrawal symptoms, and it should start working within half an hour to 45 minutes of your first dose. Once you are on Suboxone, your care team will work with you to determine the appropriate timeline for MAT in your case.
Scheduling Future Clinic Visits: How Do I Keep Going?
Your team will work with you to determine a specific treatment plan that works for your needs. They will help you get scheduled, so you know what the plan is for your treatment moving forward.
MAT treatment is not one-and-done. Going forward, you’ll meet with three people during your visits to ReVIDA® Recovery: your doctor, care coordinator, and therapist.
You will meet with your doctor to get your Suboxone prescription as well as any other additional medications you need to treat your mental health conditions. Suboxone will help you manage your withdrawal symptoms, and cravings to help you move forward from the physical parts of OUD. You will continue to check in with your doctor to make sure everything is going as it should.
Your care coordinator will help you with resources that go beyond the care you receive at the clinic, including education, job opportunities, SNAP benefits, and other resources that will support your recovery.
You will also talk with a therapist to get the bottom of underlying mental health conditions that have been contributing to your opioid use disorder. You and your therapist will work together to identify triggering emotions and situations. Then you’ll come up with safe coping strategies to avoid substance use and find healthier alternatives.
The frequency of appointments depends on the needs of the individual. In the beginning, you may have appointments as often as once a week. Over time the frequency of appointments will decrease as you reach stability.
Get Started With MAT Today
Whether you’ve been living with OUD for a long time, or you’ve started to feel like opioid use is taking over your life, research like this is the first step towards recovery.
Recovery will allow you to reclaim your life for yourself and your family. Suboxone treatment is a safe, effective, scientifically proven way to treat OUD.
If you or someone you love is living with OUD, ReVIDA® Recovery is here to help. Our team provides specialized assistance that goes beyond the walls of our outpatient centers, including help applying for assistance, housing assistance, court letters, and more. To get started today, call us at 423-631-0432 and learn more.
Reclaim your life.
