Medically-Assisted Treatment: Methadone Titration Counseling Group Medically-Assisted Treatment (MAT) has been and continues to be a viable treatment option for individuals with opiate use disorders. The use of opiate-agonist medications, such as Methadone, have been incorporated into treatment programs to provide an alternative to abstinence-based treatment models. While Methadone has been proven successful in “reducing drug use, drug-injecting behaviors, drug-related HIV, and in improving relationships within families among heroin users,” tapering, or titrating, off Methadone, comes with its own set of obstacles and individual needs (Potik, Abramsohn, Peles, Schreiber, & Adelson, 2011, p. 286). This paper will outline a proposal for a counseling
…show more content…
It is also a very specific problem within a very specific population. The Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (as cited in Potik, Abramsohn, Peles, Schreiber, & Adelson, 2011) stated, “group therapy is a powerful therapeutic tool that is effective in treating substance abuse and is also effective in helping many patients concomitantly cope with special issues associated with addiction,” (p. 287). The narrowness of scope in the presenting issue, would allow for an in-depth exploration of this issue for the group, building group cohesiveness and strategy feedback and production (Corey, Corey, and Corey, …show more content…
There is a high level of stigma with Methadone clients when it comes to 12-Step groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) in terms of “clean time”, as well as their ability to “speak at meetings” and “sponsor other individuals,” (White, Campbell, Shea, Hoffman, Crissman, & DuPont, 2013, p. 296). The fundamental principles of these groups are incorporated in much of treatment today, and the group setting would offer a place for individuals on Methadone to discuss their experiences, concerns, and involvement with these groups. It is also an area for psychoeducational opportunities on behalf of the group leader; they can identify principles and applications from these groups, and make connections to the clients’ current treatment modality.
Motivation
As an individual in recovery himself, whose first opiate of choice was illicit Methadone, the author personally understands the nature of physical dependence – especially in the case of Methadone. As an addictions professional, the author also is very aware of the term “liquid handcuffs,” commonly used by clients to explain the feelings of being trapped in a vicious cycle that reminds them of their previous addiction. The overwhelming desire demonstrated by many to come off Methadone, coupled with a lack of knowledge or support of how to do so, is the author’s primary
It is also a very specific problem within a very specific population. The Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (as cited in Potik, Abramsohn, Peles, Schreiber, & Adelson, 2011) stated, “group therapy is a powerful therapeutic tool that is effective in treating substance abuse and is also effective in helping many patients concomitantly cope with special issues associated with addiction,” (p. 287). The narrowness of scope in the presenting issue, would allow for an in-depth exploration of this issue for the group, building group cohesiveness and strategy feedback and production (Corey, Corey, and Corey, …show more content…
There is a high level of stigma with Methadone clients when it comes to 12-Step groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) in terms of “clean time”, as well as their ability to “speak at meetings” and “sponsor other individuals,” (White, Campbell, Shea, Hoffman, Crissman, & DuPont, 2013, p. 296). The fundamental principles of these groups are incorporated in much of treatment today, and the group setting would offer a place for individuals on Methadone to discuss their experiences, concerns, and involvement with these groups. It is also an area for psychoeducational opportunities on behalf of the group leader; they can identify principles and applications from these groups, and make connections to the clients’ current treatment modality.
Motivation
As an individual in recovery himself, whose first opiate of choice was illicit Methadone, the author personally understands the nature of physical dependence – especially in the case of Methadone. As an addictions professional, the author also is very aware of the term “liquid handcuffs,” commonly used by clients to explain the feelings of being trapped in a vicious cycle that reminds them of their previous addiction. The overwhelming desire demonstrated by many to come off Methadone, coupled with a lack of knowledge or support of how to do so, is the author’s primary