JOHN MATTOCKS EXPLAINS THE COMPLEXITY OF OPIOID ADDICTION
As program director at Morse Clinic’s Vance Recovery, John Mattocks ensures that the clinic is operating at its best daily. This includes everything from keeping the books to vacuuming oors, all to ensure that guests feel comfortable during their stay. He also helps resolve individual client problems and works to meet their speci c treatment needs. “We try very hard to make this a welcoming and comfortable environment for our guests,” Mattocks says. “Treatment is a long process that can’t happen unless they feel safe with us.” PRESCRIPTIONS GONE WRONG Morse Clinics provide maintenance therapy for opioid addiction recovery. Opioid addiction is generally different from other substance abuse because of the intensity of cravings and severe withdrawal symptoms, Mattocks explains. Addiction can result after being prescribed painkillers for an accident or sports injury. A person may respond pleasurably to the prescription medication, creating a need to maintain that state of euphoria. Medication-assisted treatment helps block the “high” caused by opioid use and lessens withdrawal pains. For many, this is the last hope for recovery. “No one comes to our clinic who isn’t ghting for their life,” Mattocks says. “They’re unable to meet basic survival needs. I’ve had clients who can’t function without drugs in their system. They’re not using to get high anymore. If they don’t have the drugs, they can’t get out of bed.” Medications such as methadone and buprenorphine suppress drug cravings to stabilize
clients and enable them to make informed decisions on starting their recovery. Given a clear and steady mindset, they can begin to work on other aspects of recovery such as lifestyle changes, primary care treatment and mental health counseling. REBUILDING FROM WITHIN A majority of Vance Recovery patients have experienced some sort of trauma or mental illness in their life. Mattocks believes it’s essential to combine medication with counseling and behavioral therapy in order to face these issues and form a holistic approach for treatment.
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