--- title: "Tips for Responsible Medication-Assisted Therapy | CARMAhealth" description: "Tips for Responsible Medication-Assisted Therapy Medication-assisted therapy (MAT) has long been a viable avenue of care for eligible patients seeking o…" canonical: https://carmahealth.com/blog/tips-for-responsible-medication-assisted-therapy source: https://carmahealth.com/blog/tips-for-responsible-medication-assisted-therapy mirror_of: carmahealth.com content_hash: sha256:a41ee436ee4661cf27f8184dc63011f79d0858f562fcfdf4101dab9e00fc1fe8 generated_at: 2026-07-08T23:20:17.555Z robots: noindex, follow --- Blog # Tips for Responsible Medication-Assisted Therapy December 8, 2017 · CARMAhealth [All Articles](/blog) (image: Tips for Responsible Medication-Assisted Therapy) Medication-assisted therapy (MAT) has long been a viable avenue of care for eligible patients seeking ongoing relief from long-term opioid and alcohol withdrawal symptoms. For years, methadone was the prevailing standard in medication-assisted therapy; however, over the past few decades, other drugs like Suboxone® and Vivitrol® have emerged as, according to many, less risky alternatives. The reality is, however, that all maintenance drugs come with their share of risks for addiction and it’s important to have a plan in place if you start experiencing withdrawal symptoms and heightened vulnerability to relapse. In an effort to prevent trading one addiction for another, here are some tips for safe and effective [medication-assisted therapy](https://carmahealth.com/services/medication-assisted-therapy/). ## Assess Your Eligibility Work closely with your doctor or treatment provider to determine if medication-assisted therapy is right for you. Initial screening or intake procedures determine an applicant’s eligibility and readiness for medication-assisted therapy for opioid addiction and admission to an opioid treatment program. Ongoing assessment should begin as soon as a patient is admitted to a treatment program. ## Communication Is Key If you experience any adverse effects or withdrawal symptoms during the medication-assisted therapy process, it’s critical that you quickly and thoroughly articulate them to your prescribing physician. Your physician will act accordingly, either adjusting your dosage or start the process of tapering off medication. ## Trust Your Doctor Do not attempt to cease or adjust your dosage without first consulting your prescribing physician. Any deviation from regimen can create serious changes in biology and lead to withdrawal symptoms. At some point symptoms will decrease and patients can start slowing getting weaned off their medication. It’s also important to realize that [medication-assisted therapy](https://carmahealth.com/services/medication-assisted-therapy/) is not meant to supplant or substitute any part of treatment. It should be administered along with detox and rehab as part of a comprehensive overall treatment program. #### CARMAHEALTH TESTIMONIAL > This place was great for me my life has changed an I feel great now. Thanks Carma! **Joey Castillo** > Dr. Powell is amazing, as well as the staff. I would highly recommend this place to anyone. **Kate Penshorn** > Excellent mental health professionals in Austin!!! They truly care about their patients by offering first-class services!! **David B. Hutts** #### OPENING HOURS
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