Learn about the different types of treatment available
Treatment for substance use disorder can mean different things to different people. Treatment models can range from outpatient counseling with a drug and alcohol counselor to inpatient treatment with medication assistance.
Kacie’s Cause does not advocate for one treatment model over another. Our goal is to provide you with information to help you, your family, and your treatment team to make the best decision about what is right for you.
Our friends at the Chester County Department of Drug & Alcohol Services provide us with a description of the different levels of care available to Pennsylvania residents here.
Medication-Assisted Treatment
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is the use of medications, in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies, to provide a “whole-patient” approach to the treatment of substance use disorders. Medications used in MAT are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and MAT programs are clinically driven and tailored to meet each patient’s needs.
Research shows that a combination of medication and therapy can successfully treat these disorders, and for some people struggling with addiction, MAT can help sustain recovery. MAT is also used to prevent or reduce opioid overdose.
Buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone are used to treat opioid use disorders to short-acting opioids such as heroin, morphine, and codeine, as well as semi-synthetic opioids like oxycodone and hydrocodone. These MAT medications are safe to use for months, years, or even a lifetime. As with any medication, consult your doctor before discontinuing use.
Source: SAMSHA- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Please note that not all treatment models support medication assistance treatment. It is important that you carefully consult your physician and treatment team before deciding to pursue medication assistance. To learn more about MAT visit SAMSHA here.
Consider holding an intervention if needed
Sometimes holding a heart-to-heart conversation with a friend or family member is a successful first step in convincing a person to get help with a substance use problem. It is important to remember, however, that persons suffering from substance use disorder often have impaired reasoning abilities and may require a more formal or intense “intervention” to get started on the path to recovery. It is highly recommended that you first consult an addiction professional before attempting an intervention. The Mayo Clinic provides some excellent information about how to hold a successful intervention here.
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Find treatment near you
When seeking a treatment program it is important to contact your insurance company to find a program that is covered by your plan. If you do not have health insurance and you live in Chester County contact the Department of Drug & Alcohol Services at 610-344-6620. To find a treatment program that accepts your insurance visit treatmentatlas.org or call the SAMSHA hotline at 800-662-4357.
For a list of treatment programs in and around Chester County click here.
Consider participating in Narcotics Anonymous
For many, but not all, individuals suffering from Substance Use Disorder or Opioid Use Disorder, attending Narcotics Anonymous meeting can be extremely helpful in various stages of recovery.
To learn more about Narcotics Anonymous click here.
For help finding NA meetings near you click here.
