Trying to reduce or stop the use of drugs and/or alcohol alone can be uncomfortable, and even dangerous. Pura Vida’s skilled medical team can make this process much safer and more comfortable through a process called “Medication Assisted Treatment” or MAT.
What is MAT?
MAT uses specific medications to gradually reduce the body’s dependence on drugs and/or alcohol over time. Different prescriptions are utilized depending on the substance(s) the patient is using. The dosage is “tapered” or decreased little by little, until the body has a chance to return to its normal state.
All the medications used by Pura Vida for MAT are safe and approved by reputable national agencies like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), United States Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). These may include, but are not limited to:
- Suboxone/Subutex
- Naltrexone/Vivitrol
- Librium/Ativan
- Methadone (if prescribed by a licensed methadone clinic)
The type of medication and the length of time it takes to safely taper are determined by a thorough doctor’s examination as they must be customized to each individual’s unique needs. Some courses of MAT may be brief, lasting only a few days under direct 24/7 medical supervision. Others may be taken long term to continue reducing cravings and relapse risk in the future.
