The clinic provides medication assisted treatment (MAT) for the treatment of AUD and OUD. At this time these are the only use disorders (addictions) where there is evidence that MAT can provide a benefit in addition to counseling and support.
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD): What is it?
Alcohol Use Disorder, also known as Alcoholism, is a chronic and often progressive disease characterized by the inability to control alcohol consumption despite alcohol use causing several negative consequences that affect many areas of the person’s life. AUD can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or background.
Symptoms of AUD:
- Drinking more or longer than intended
- Difficulty cutting down or controlling alcohol use
- Spending a lot of time drinking or recovering from drinking
- Craving or strong desire to drink
- Continuing to drink despite physical or mental health problems
- Needing to drink more to achieve the desired effect
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when not drinking
Effects of AUD:
- Physical health problems, such as liver disease, heart disease, and certain types of cancer
- Mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts
- Relationship problems, including family conflicts and social isolation
- Work or school problems, including absenteeism and decreased productivity
- Increased risk of accidents, injuries, and violence
Treatment and Recovery:
AUD is a treatable condition. With the right support and treatment, individuals can recover and lead healthy, fulfilling lives. There are a variety of evidence based medication assisted treatment options useful in alcohol use disorder (AUD) These may be effective to decrease alcohol craving and withdrawal. Our doctor can discuss these with you.
Treatment options may include:
Medications, counselling and therapy, support groups and inpatient and/or outpatient rehabilitation programs.
If you or someone you know is struggling with AUD, there is hope for recovery. Seek professional help and support to start the journey towards a healthier, happier life.
Opioid Use Disorder (OUD): What is it?
Opioid Use Disorder, also known as Opioid Addiction, is a chronic and often relapsing disorder characterized by the inability to control opioid use despite negative consequences. OUD can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or background. The brains of people with OUD have adapted to the higher doses of endorphin-like compounds (opioids) that people have been using. There does not seem to be any end to this adaptation which does not occur if we are just meeting the amount of opioid needed to prevent withdrawal. However, if people are trying to self treat a mood disorder, anxiety, trauma or grief or just wanting to get high, the tolerance keeps increasing. Another way to look at tolerance is that it causes an opioid deficit – if the deficit is filled, the brain functions normally and no withdrawal is experienced. If too much opioid is used the patient may feel euphoric and tolerance increases. Too little opioid and withdrawal symptoms are the result.
Opioid Agonist Therapy (an agonist is something that stimulates a receptor) is considered the standard of care for the treatment of opioid use disorder. Standard of care means that the evidence for this treatment is so overwhelming, it must be offered to the patient. There are three main medications – methadone, buprenorphine (suboxone sub lingual tabs, buccal strips and depot injection Sublocade) and Kadian (sustained release oral morphine). Our doctors can discuss the pros and cons of each medication with you.
The goal with OAT (Opioid Agonist Therapy) is to fill the deficit so that the patient has no withdrawal for 24 hours – if it is less than that it can result in substance use as opioid withdrawal is a powerful trigger to use.
Symptoms of OUD
- Taking opioids in larger amounts or over a longer period than intended
- Difficulty cutting down or controlling opioid use
- Spending a lot of time obtaining or using opioids
- Craving or strong desire to use opioids
- Continuing to use opioids despite physical or mental health problems
- Needing to use more opioids to achieve the desired effect
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when not using opioids
Effects of OUD
- Physical health problems, such as overdose, respiratory depression, and increased risk of infections
- Mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts
- Relationship problems, including family conflicts and social isolation
- Work or school problems, including absenteeism and decreased productivity
- Increased risk of accidents, injuries, and violence
- Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) in newborns of mothers with OUD
Treatment and Recovery
OUD is a treatable condition. With the right support and treatment, individuals can recover and lead healthy, fulfilling lives. Treatment options may include:
In contrast to AUD, medications are the cornerstone of OUD treatment. They are the standard of care. Counseling, therapy, support groups and inpatient and/or outpatient rehabilitation programs are additional treatment options but it is important to realize that none of these treatments are alternatives without OAT. They do not work for OUD without OAT.
If you or someone you know is struggling with OUD, there is hope for recovery. Seek professional help and support to start the journey towards a healthier, happier life