The Extension is dedicated to reducing the negative impact of Opioid Use Disorder and providing individuals served with the opportunity to explore many pathways to recovery by implementing a Medicated Assisted Treatment (MAT) Program. This program is funded by a grant from the Georgia Opioid Crisis Abatement Trust.
MAT provides “specific interventions for reducing and/or eliminating the use of illicit opioids and other drugs of abuse; while developing the individuals social support network and necessary lifestyle changes; psychoeducational skills; pre-vocational skills leading to work activity by reducing substance use as a barrier to employment; social and interpersonal skills; improved family functioning; the understanding of substance use disorders; and the continued commitment to a recovery and maintenance program. MAT is a multi-faceted approach treatment service for adults who require structure and support to achieve and maintain recovery from Opioid Use Disorder” (DBHDD, 2024).
In conjunction with residential treatment services provided by The Extension, The MAT program consists of the use of pharmacological interventions to assist with reducing the cravings for opioid use, such as naltrexone and buprenorphine. The MAT program is provided at no cost for individuals for up to one (1) year, who meet the criteria for the Residential or Aftercare program, are medically appropriate for MAT, and have a diagnosable Opioid Use Disorder and/or Alcohol Use Disorder. Referral sources include but are not limited to self-referrals, local substance use treatment programs, Department of Community Supervision, the courts, hospitals, correctional facilities, crisis stabilization units, and recovery community organizations.
At admission, individuals are screened for clinically appropriateness for MAT based on history of substance use, including past and current symptoms, onset, route of administration, amount, frequency, duration, date of last use, mental status and impact on daily functioning. In addition, previous treatment episodes and history, and recommended level of care based on biomedical conditions and complications, emotional, behavioral, and cognitive conditions and complications, readiness to change, relapse potential is assessed.
MAT Admission Criteria
In addition to meeting criteria for residential services, the participant must have:
- A DSM-5 diagnosis of Opioid Use Disorder and/or Alcohol Use Disorder;
- Present symptoms that are likely to respond to pharmacological interventions; and no incapacitating physical or psychiatric complications that would preclude participation in medication assisted treatment services.
- Individual is assessed as likely to enter into continued treatment as evidenced by;
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- Individual clearly understands and is able to follow instructions for care; and
- Individual has adequate understanding of and expressed interest to enter into medication assisted treatment services.
Candidates for the program are formally considered after a thorough medical assessment by medical professionals and are given relevant information on the program’s specific criteria, structure, and services.
Services
Clients participate in the creation of their Individualized Service Plan (ISP), with the intensity level of treatment and treatment plan is individualized by the substance use history and intensity of prior treatment. The individual’s ISP is reviewed every thirty days and updated, as appropriate.
The MAT program offers the following services based on the individual needs of the participants: daily group counseling and group skills training, including MAT-specific groups, weekly individual counseling, family counseling, psychoeducation, life skills training, vocational skills training, financial literacy, peer support services, and case management services. Services are provided by licensed, credentialed, and/or certified staff. In addition to intake assessments, including a comprehensive Biopsychosocial assessment, each participant also receives laboratory studies, medication administration, and monthly, as well as random urinalysis drug testing. Laboratory studies are assessed every ninety (90) days. If liver disease is present, labs will be assessed every 90 days throughout the duration of treatment. If there is no liver disease present, labs will be discontinued following the assessment at 90 days.