Mental Health Referrals From MAT Physicians

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is a multifaceted approach to treating substance use disorders. It combines medication with therapy to effectively treat someone’s unique needs and support many aspects of their life.^[1]

By providing comprehensive mental health care for MAT patients, this approach treats both the substance use issue and the mental illness driving it. While recovery can be a long and difficult road, the mental health integration within MAT treatment is what makes it so effective.

If you’re concerned about substance use issues in yourself or someone you care about, a mental health professional can talk to you about medication-assisted and mental health treatment options. This article can also help you better understand treatment for a substance use disorder by exploring what your care may involve and the different possible treatments. It covers:

• What MAT treatment is.
• The different medications prescribed in MAT.
• How mental health support is combined with medication.
• How MAT physicians refer individuals to mental health treatment.
• MAT treatment options.
• Inpatient care for medication-assisted treatment.

What Is MAT Treatment?

MAT is a comprehensive approach to treating substance use disorders. It combines medication and therapy, as well as forms of social support, to holistically treat people with addictions.^[1] You may hear or read the terms “medication-assisted recovery” or “medication-supported recovery”; these are the same as MAT.^[2]

The goal of MAT is to help people reach full recovery. However, MAT has also been found to increase survival rates, improve the ability to gain and maintain employment, and decrease drug-related harmful activities.^[1]

MAT does this by minimizing cravings, blocking the rewarding properties of some substances, and ultimately decreasing the use of substances.^[1] The treatment may take a few months or be continued indefinitely, depending on the person’s individual needs.^[2]

Therapy and counseling are essential aspects of MAT because they can help address any issues beneath the addiction, such as depression or trauma. Yet, exploring these kinds of pain often isn’t easy when someone is in the grip of addiction. Medications help to create space for this kind of therapeutic work. We’ll explore the therapy aspect of MAT later in this article.

When Will You Receive MAT?

You’re more likely to be given MAT if physicians determine your dependency is severe enough to be categorized as a “substance use disorder.” They might use the criteria outlined in the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition) to work this out. These criteria ask if you’re:^[3]

1. Using the substance for longer, or in larger amounts, than you initially intend to.
2. Unable to reduce or stop your usage, despite trying to.
3. Investing substantial time, money, or effort into obtaining a substance and dealing with its effects.
4. Having cravings.
5. Experiencing major consequences in your life, work, or relationships due to substance use.
6. Continuing to use despite negative impacts on your life.
7. Giving up events and activities you would previously have enjoyed.
8. Taking substance-related risks.
9. Continuing to use the substance after gaining an awareness that it’s harming you in some way.
10. Needing to use in larger amounts due to an increased tolerance.
11. Experiencing withdrawal symptoms.

You may have a substance use disorder if you have more than two of these symptoms. It could also be classified as “severe” if you have more than six.^[3]

If your MAT physician determines you could benefit from MAT, they’ll begin your prescription and referral to a type of therapy.

MAT Medications

The medication aspect of MAT involves using FDA-approved medications to manage the physical symptoms of drug withdrawal. There are different medications for different substance use disorders.^[1]

For example, in the case of opioid use, people may be prescribed buprenorphine, methadone, or naltrexone. These drugs work in different ways to reduce cravings, minimize withdrawal symptoms, and suppress the euphoric highs of opioid use.^[1]

Alternatively, if someone’s being treated for alcohol use, they may receive acamprosate, disulfiram, or naltrexone. In different ways, these medications may help people avoid alcohol use by changing its rewarding effects.^[1]

Your MAT medication may make you feel drowsy, but this side effect should stop as your body adjusts. If needed, your MAT physician may reduce or increase your prescription to a dose that works best for you.

Further, once you’re stabilized, you may decide to gradually reduce your dose while continuing with therapy. Some people prefer to keep taking their prescription for longer, known as a “maintenance program.”^[4]

Mental Health Support During MAT Treatment

Medication alone is usually not sufficient to treat substance disorders.^[2] While medications are essential for assisting withdrawal and recovery from a physical point of view, emotional support is also crucial.

There are many ways emotional support could be implemented, as several types of therapy have proven to be effective. The type you’re referred to by your clinician may depend on what’s local to you, your specific substance dependency, and your unique needs.

In general, mental health support during MAT treatment will work to:^[1]

• Identify and change unhelpful behaviors that worsen or perpetuate your addiction.
• Educate you about the psychological factors driving your condition.
• Explore your past and the factors that have led you to where you are today.
• Help you remain motivated to continue the positive changes you’ve made.
• Connect you deeply with your motivations for changing.
• Develop coping and communication skills.

Treatment may involve going to meetings, attending therapy, or engaging in other recovery-supportive activities.^[2] Your MAT may also provide social support, which could mean incorporating strategies that target issues with employment, family, and legal concerns.^[1]

How Does the MAT Referral Work?

Though MAT across the country is fairly consistent, there may be variations from state to state when it comes to care models and referral processes. However, most models consist of:^[5]

• Medication.
• Education and outreach (for example, reducing stigma and providing support).
• Care coordination carried out by a non-physician (such as a nurse, therapist, or case manager) to connect the different treatment aspects.
• Psychosocial services (like therapy, psychiatric care, or peer support).

Referrals from MAT physicians also often vary between states. For instance, depending on the state you live in, your medication-assisted treatment may be organized by your primary care provider or a specialist substance use program. In some states, MAT will begin in the emergency department before you’re referred to your primary care physician.^[5]

While MAT is delivered in diverse ways across the country, its goals typically remain the same. Plus, physician referrals to mental health treatment will likely be a fundamental part of your recovery journey. Next, we’ll explore what sorts of treatments you may be referred to.

MAT and Mental Health Dual Treatment Options

Therapy programs for MAT clients may vary in their approach, but all can be effective in their own ways. The best one for you will depend on your preferences and the relationship you form with the therapist. Options might include:

• Group therapy for substance use: One of the most effective tools available, its power lies in how it provides a supportive environment for group members to share their challenges and triumphs. It can give people a sense of belonging, improve their social skills, and encourage them to learn from each other. Furthermore, knowing there’s a group of people invested in your recovery can motivate you and keep you accountable.^[6]
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT is action-focused and oriented in the present. So, it won’t delve heavily into your past. CBT for addiction may ask you to identify thoughts that may be worsening your condition and help change them. For example, turning I need a hit to calm down into This hit may calm me down now, but it won’t in the long-term. In this way, CBT can help people think differently and gain more control over their behavior.^[7]
• Motivational interviewing (MI): MI can strengthen someone’s motivation to change without using shame or confrontation. Open-ended questions, affirmations, reflections, and summarizing may help to build self-belief and verbalize reasons for changing. It can also help people see the gap between their goals and current behaviors, reducing the drive to use substances.^[8]

Inpatient Therapy Programs for MAT Referrals

If your substance use disorder is severe or complex, your MAT physician may refer you to an inpatient or residential program. These settings are drug and alcohol-free and provide 24-hour care. Their specific treatment interventions will vary, but they’re likely to involve:^[9]

• Withdrawal management (including medication).
• Individual therapy.
• Group therapy.
• Supported reintegration into the community after discharge.

You may stay at an inpatient center for between a few days to a year, depending on how you respond to treatment. Some inpatient centers base their care models on the 12-step Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) program, incorporating addiction education, group meetings, and sponsorship.^[9]

Other facilities coordinate care differently. For instance, they may use community meetings, self-help techniques, or encounter groups to explore substance use and coping skills.^[9]

With MAT coordination, inpatient residential mental health care can be very effective for people in crisis or with severe conditions. You can expect to have more intensive and frequent therapy, a regimented routine, and a mixture of therapeutic techniques at these facilities.^[10]

Get Co-Occurring Mental Health Support With Mission Connection

Though we treat a wide range of mental health conditions at Mission Connection, we do not treat substance use. However, we can offer you support for co-occurring conditions like depression and anxiety, which often underlie substance use issues.

Our team of professionals is widely experienced in providing a range of evidence-based treatment programs that support a variety of mental health needs. Plus, we are more than happy to help you or a loved one better understand medication-assisted therapy for your needs.

We offer several options for effective outpatient treatment, including in-person programs at our locations, virtual telehealth, and a hybrid program that combines in-person and virtual care. Mission Connection is Joint Commission-accredited. We also accept most major insurance providers, so that your recovery is not hindered due to financial issues.

Reach out to us online or call us at 866-833-1822 to find out how we can support your long-term recovery.