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Addiction is a disease. It cannot be cured, but it can be managed with medication, counseling, and support. Our Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) program can help people suffering from opioid addiction. The goal of the program is to recover from addiction. We do not replace one addictive drug with another. Rather, the program provides a safe, controlled level of medication to overcome the use of a problem opioid.

Find Us

Behavioral Health - Old Gateway Center

10978 Donner Pass Road
Truckee, CA 96161

Map
(530) 582-1212

Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm

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What is Medication Assisted Treatment?

The consequences of untreated addiction can be tragic for the individual, family, and community. Like heart disease or diabetes, opioid addiction is a chronic disease, a medical condition that can last a lifetime. However, by managing the addiction, a patient can regain a healthy, productive life.

Most people cannot just walk away from addiction. They need help.

Tahoe Forest's Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) program stops the use of the problem drug. It combats the effects of withdrawal and eases cravings. Additionally, MAT addresses the underlying issues that trigger inappropriate drug use and helps people move into healthy, addiction-free lifestyles, or recovery.

Medication, Counseling & Support

There are three, equally-important elements to Medication Assisted Treatment: medication, counseling, and support from family and friends.

Medication

The most common medications used in the treatment of opioid addiction are Buprenorphine and Methadone. Buprenorphine is dispensed at treatment centers or prescribed by certified medical providers and is available at Tahoe Forest Hospital. Buprenorphine tricks the brain into thinking it is still getting the problem opioid. The person taking this medication feels normal, not high, withdrawal does not occur, and cravings are reduced. Buprenorphine is administered when the patient experiences withdrawal symptoms. Methadone is dispensed only at specially licensed treatment centers.

People can safely take treatment medication as long as needed - for months or even years.

Many people in treatment relapse once or more. While relapse is a setback, it does not mean failure. People who relapse can continue with treatment and achieve full recovery.
 

Counseling

Counseling is an important part of Medication Assisted Treatment. Through counseling, people learn why the addiction occurred, the problems it has caused, and what they need to change to overcome those problems. Counseling provides encouragement and motivation. It teaches coping skills and how to prevent relapse. Additionally, it can help people learn how to make healthy decisions, handle setbacks and stress, and move forward with their lives.
 

Support

It is very hard to go through recovery alone. Support from family and friends is extremely important. Love and encouragement can help a person make the decision to enter treatment and stick with it.
 

Get Help

Direct referrals to the MAT Program can be made by calling (530) 582-1212. 

Want to learn more about opioid addiction and treatment?  Download our program brochure.