Medication Assisted Treatment:An Introduction

Deborah A. Orr, Ph.D., RNRemington CollegeSchool of Nursing

Why is it difficult to stop taking some drugs?

What causes the cigarette (non) smoker to relapse?

How does the unsuccessful treatment client feel after relapse?

• How does relapse impact the likelihood of attempting to stop drugs again?

Goal of Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)

“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. Research shows that when treating substance-use disorders, a combination of medication and behavioral therapies is most successful. Medication assisted treatment (MAT) is clinically driven with a focus on individualized patient care.”

http://www.dpt.samhsa.gov/

Collaborative Treatment Approach

client/family

Medical care counseling

Community self-help groups

Addiction is a Brain Disease

• Receptor changes

• Neurotransmitter changes

Addiction and the Brain

1. Drug attaches to receptors in brain -> PLEASURE

2. Repeated drug use -> TOLERANCE 3. Absence of drug after prolonged use: ->

WITHDRAWAL

What drugs? Cigarettes, alcohol, benzodiazepines, opioids

Other drugs target neurotransmitters

Examples: cocaine, crack cocaine, amphetamines, methamphetamine

Stimulants alter brain function by blocking reuptake of dopamine, so effects of dopamine are intensified.

Can’t you just taper the drugs on your own?

Withdrawal

• What is the relationship between discomfort from physical withdrawal symptoms

and the ability to successfully tolerate

detoxification?The ability to retain, process, and apply

information? To benefit from counseling?

Substance: Nicotine

Withdrawal symptoms:• Irritability• Restlessness• Sleep disturbance• Decreased concentration• Increased appetite• Nicotine cravings• Depression• Anxiety

Treatment• Nicotine replacement

medication (patch, gum, etc.)

• BUPROPION (Zyban): reduces cravings and may help with depression

Alcohol

• Chronic, heavy alcohol consumptions depresses the neurotransmitters GABA and glutamate

• Withdrawal creates a rebound of these neurotransmitters brain hyperexcitability

• Withdrawal symptoms: anxiety, irritability, agitation, tremors, seizures, and DTs

• Alcohol withdrawal can be fatal.

Alcohol Treatment

Detoxification: medically supervised• Main problems: seizures, hypertension, DTs• Replacement therapy with a chemically similar

medication (phenobarbital, valium, librium or ativan) + treatment of withdrawal symptoms

Maintenance: antabuse, vivitrol (naltrexone)

Benzodiazepines

• valium, librium, ativan, xanax• Withdrawal can be fatal• Withdrawal symptoms depend on amount,

frequency, duration, and half-life of the specific drug

Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Symptoms

• Severe sleep disturbance• Irritability• Anxiety• Hand tremor• Sweating• Difficulty in concentration, confusion and cognitive

difficulty, memory problems• Dry retching and nausea, weight loss• Palpitations, headache• Hallucinations, seizures, psychosis, and possible suicide

Benzodiazepine Detoxification Medications

• Medically managed detoxification• Usually a benzodiazepine taper + treatment of

withdrawal symptoms• Anti-seizure medications sometimes used

when there is a history of seizures

Opioids

• Examples: heroin, morphine, dilaudid, methadone, oxycontin, demerol

• Withdrawal Symptoms: sweating, gooseflesh, yawning, chills, runny nose, tearing, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and muscle and joint aches

Medically-Assisted Withdrawal from Opioids

• Relieves withdrawal symptoms while patients adjust to a drug-free state

• Can occur in an inpatient or outpatient setting• Typically occurs under the care of a physician

or medical provider• Serves as a precursor to behavioral treatment,

because it is designed to treat acute withdrawal symptoms

SOURCE: Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research-Based Guide, NIDA, 2000.

Replacement Medication: Methadone

• Must be dispensed from a licensed opioid treatment center (methadone program).

• Pros + Cons• Only approved treatment for pregnant opioid

dependent women (prevent fetal withdrawal)

Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone)

• Must be prescribed by MD• May be inpatient or office based• May be for detoxification or

maintenance• Administer the drug sublingually

for a sustained period at a dosage sufficient to prevent opioid withdrawal, block the effect of illicit opiate use, and decrease opioid craving

• Better social functioning• Less risk for illegal behaviors• Less HIV risk behavior• Better able to participate in substance

abuse treatment (the brain works better!)

Benefits of Opioid Replacement Medications for Opioid Addiction

SOURCE: Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research-Based Guide, NIDA, 2000.

Treatment Regimen

• Concomitant behavioral counseling (relapse prevention, managing triggers, increased coping skills, etc.)

• Detox versus prolonged detox versus maintenance

• Vivitrol (naltrexone) once opioid-free to minimize cravings

Contraindications to Opioid replacement therapy

• Benzodiazepine use, in particular• Alcohol dependence• Serious untreated de-stabilizing psychiatric

disorders• Inability to safely store or take medication• Repeated non-adherence to prescribed dosing

regimen

Stimulants

• cocaine, crack cocaine, amphetamines, methamphetamine

• Chronic use depletes the “reward” neurotransmitter, dopamine

Stimulant Withdrawal Symptoms

• Fatigue, but insomnia• Restlessness, irritability• Loss of motivation• Depression• Difficulty concentrating• Sinus problems, headache• Cravings

Stimulants and Other Drugs

• Withdrawal danger: often used with alcohol or benzodiazepines (which need medically supervised withdrawal)

• No replacement medication available for stimulant detoxification

• treatment of withdrawal symptoms• Monitor for depression and treat as needed

Medical Stabilization Begins Treatment

• MAT makes the person less physically uncomfortable

• Cognitive impairment caused by withdrawal is minimized, so counseling can start sooner and be more effective

• Counselors, client, and medical provider plan treatment course

• Counselors support medication adherence behavior by actively exploring barriers.

Counseling

• Initial counseling addresses highest risk situations for safety, and relapse

• Ongoing counseling addresses triggers, as well as the residue of addiction in the client’s current life.

• Counseling addresses psychological issues.• Counselors alert medical providers to

problems discovered in counseling. TEAM.

Resources

http://store.samhsa.gov/list/series?name=TIP-Series-Treatment-Improvement-Protocols-TIPS

• TIP 45: Detoxification and Substance Abuse Treatment

• TIP 43: Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Addiction in Opioid Treatment Programs

• TIP 42: Substance Abuse Treatment for Persons With Co-Occurring Disorders

Questions?

Deborah A. Orr, Ph.D., RNDebbie.orr@remingtoncollege.edu

407-562-9083