Key Takeaways
- Medication-assisted treatment in detox reduces withdrawal symptoms and cravings, giving you a safer and more stable start to recovery.
- Medication-Assisted Treatment leads to better long-term results, including lower relapse risk and greater success in therapy.
- At 12 South Recovery, MAT is part of a caring, client-focused approach that supports both physical and emotional healing.
Deciding to quit drugs or alcohol is difficult, and the detox stage can feel overpowering when withdrawal symptoms and cravings hit hard. At 12 South Recovery, we understand how difficult this stage can be, which is why we use medication-assisted treatment (MAT) to make it safer, calmer, and more effective. MAT eases discomfort, lowers health risks, and gives your mind and body the chance to rest. With the right support, detox becomes more than just a first step. It becomes the beginning of real healing and lasting recovery.
What is Medication-Assisted Treatment?
Simply put, it is the careful use of FDA-approved medications, combined with therapy, to help people overcome addiction. MAT addresses both the physical and psychological effects of substance use.
Medications often used include:
- Buprenorphine – reduces opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
- Methadone – stabilizes the brain and blocks opioid effects.
- Naltrexone – prevents relapse by blocking euphoric effects of opioids and alcohol.
- Acamprosate – helps reduce cravings for alcohol.
- Disulfiram – causes negative reactions to alcohol, discouraging drinking.
At 12 South Recovery, these medications are paired with therapies such as CBT, DBT, EMDR, and individual therapy. This combination makes MAT more than just medical support. It becomes part of a full healing approach that addresses body, mind, and purpose.
What is Detox?
Detox is the stage where harmful substances are removed from the body. It is the first step of addiction treatment, but it often brings on uncomfortable or even dangerous withdrawal symptoms.
Common detox symptoms include:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Body aches and shaking
- Fatigue and sleeplessness
- Anxiety, depression, or irritability
- Strong cravings
- Seizures (in severe alcohol or benzodiazepine cases)
Trying to go through detox without medical help can be risky. In fact, sudden withdrawal from alcohol or benzodiazepines can be life-threatening. This is why professional detox is so important. At 12 South Recovery, our team uses MAT to provide comfort, reduce risks, and keep you safe as your body adjusts.
MAT helps prevent addiction-related health issues by providing relief from intense withdrawal symptoms and drug cravings during the vulnerable detox and early recovery phases. With medical supervision and emotional support, detox becomes safer and more manageable.
What is the Role of Medication-Assisted Treatment in Detox?
MAT is a stabilizing force. Instead of being overwhelmed by pain, fear, and cravings, you are supported with medical tools that ease the process.
Here’s how MAT helps during detox:
- Relief from withdrawal symptoms – Medications reduce nausea, body aches, and other physical discomforts.
- Reduced cravings – MAT lowers the urge to use drugs or alcohol, making relapse less likely.
- Improved mental clarity – With symptoms managed, clients can think more clearly and begin therapy sooner.
- Increased safety – Medical supervision ensures serious complications like seizures or heart issues are addressed immediately.
At 12 South Recovery, MAT is never used in isolation. It is always paired with counseling, therapy, and family involvement. This balance ensures that you are supported physically and emotionally, making recovery more sustainable.
What are the Guiding Steps of Detoxification Treatment?
Detox is a structured process, especially when MAT is included. At 12 South Recovery, our detox program is client-centered, meaning it is shaped around your needs.
The steps typically include:
- Assessment and Planning
Our clinicians gather your medical history, substance use details, and mental health background. This helps us determine which medications may best support you. - Stabilization
Medications are prescribed to ease symptoms and help your body return to balance. Clients often begin to feel relief within hours. - Therapeutic Engagement
While stabilizing, clients can begin therapy sessions such as CBT or group counseling. This helps address the root causes of addiction early on. - Transition to Ongoing Care
Once stable, clients move into the next level of treatment, whether residential care, PHP, or IOP. This ensures that recovery continues without gaps.
Every step is handled with care, respect, and support. At 12 South Recovery, detox is not just about removing substances. It’s about preparing you for lasting sobriety.
What are the Results of Medication-Assisted Treatment?
Research and client experiences show that MAT improves outcomes in detox and recovery.
Key results include:
- Lower relapse rates – Clients supported with MAT are less likely to return to substance use during early recovery.
- Greater comfort – Withdrawal symptoms are less intense, making detox manageable.
- Higher participation – With symptoms under control, clients engage more fully in therapy and group work.
- Improved mental health – MAT can stabilize mood and reduce anxiety, giving people the strength to continue treatment.
At 12 South Recovery, we’ve seen clients regain confidence and motivation after receiving MAT. Many say it gave them the ability to focus on their goals instead of just their discomfort.
How Long Does MAT Last?
The answer varies depending on the individual and the substance involved.
Some clients may only need MAT during the detox phase, which typically lasts from a few days to two weeks. Others may benefit from continuing MAT for months or even longer, especially for opioid or alcohol dependence.
At 12 South Recovery, MAT is carefully monitored and adjusted over time. The goal is not to keep you on medication forever but to provide support until you are strong enough to continue without it. Our clinicians will walk with you every step, helping determine when it’s safe to taper off medications.
MAT at 12 South Recovery: A Family-Oriented Approach
What makes MAT at 12 South Recovery different is our client-centered philosophy of caring. We don’t just prescribe medication and send you on your way. Instead, our expert clinicians and therapists help you identify the root causes of your addiction and build new habits that support lasting sobriety.
We combine MAT with:
- Individual therapy to work through personal struggles
- Group therapy for peer support
- Holistic practices like meditation and adventure therapy
- Relapse prevention planning to strengthen long-term recovery
By offering MAT alongside therapies and support programs, we give you more than medical relief. We give you the tools and confidence to rebuild your life.
Start Your Recovery Today with 12 South Recovery
Detox does not have to feel like an impossible hurdle. With medication-assisted treatment, you can experience relief, stability, and the support needed to begin a meaningful recovery. At 12 South Recovery, we are here to help you uncover the root cause of addiction and guide you toward a purposeful, sober life.
Call 12 South Recovery today! Our team is ready to help you take the first step toward lasting change.
