Therapies – Medication Management
Clinically Informed Medication Management for Addiction
Carefully Monitored Medication Support as Part of Your Recovery
RECOVERY IS ABOUT MORE THAN STOPPING 
IT’S ABOUT HEALING
Successful addiction treatment must address the entire person, not just their substance use. The trauma, pain, and loss of connection to self that are often at the root of drug addiction need to be addressed in ways that go beyond clinical work alone. Holistic therapies create an opportunity for those in recovery to reconnect with their body, their creativity, their presence, and a sense of self that isn’t determined by their addiction.
Meridian Recovery offers holistic therapies as part of an overall treatment plan through the integration of evidence-based clinical work. Featuring yoga, art therapy, and music therapy, the holistic therapies offered assist individuals on their journey to recovery by providing them with additional tools to navigate their new life of wellness.
What Is Medication Management?
Medication management, as a component of addiction treatment, is the continuous clinical oversight of medications that are prescribed to assist a person in recovering from a substance abuse disorder (SUD).[1] This includes making an initial assessment and determining eligibility for medication prescription, as well as ongoing monitoring of the effects and adjusting dosage as deemed necessary throughout the course of treatment. This process is done in collaboration with other members of the treatment team to ensure that the prescribed medication is helping, rather than hindering, the recovery process.
Medications are prescribed on a clinically appropriate basis, depending on the outcome of the individual client’s evaluation and assessment, as well as their clinical needs. It is important to note that medication is not a mandatory component of all treatment plans; it is only a tool used when the clinical situation warrants it.
How Medication Management Works
Medication management is an ongoing, collaborative process rather than a one-time occurrence. At Meridian Recovery, our qualified psychiatric and medical providers provide several key components of medication management, including:
- Initial Evaluation: Clients are evaluated and assessed psychiatrically and clinically. This includes a review of the client’s history and any associated issues related to drug addiction that have impacted the client’s current clinical presentation. The information gathered during the evaluation process is used to determine the appropriateness of any prescribed medication.
- Individualized Medications: All prescribed medications are selected in accordance with the individual client’s needs. An example includes the prescription of FDA-approved medications for the treatment of narcotic use disorders (such as buprenorphine or naltrexone), alcohol use disorders (such as naltrexone, acamprosate, or disulfiram), or co-occurring mental health disorders where psychiatric medications are prescribed in conjunction with therapy.
- Ongoing Monitoring: The process of medication management is ongoing throughout the course of treatment. By checking in and engaging with clients regularly, our clinical staff will monitor the impact of any medication on their clinical condition and overall wellness.
- Collaboration With The Care Team: All decisions related to prescribed medications are made collaboratively within the various treatment professionals that comprise the client’s treatment team. Accordingly, our prescribing professionals regularly communicate and collaborate with other treatment team members (including therapists, case managers, and other professionals) to ensure the success and effectiveness of the prescribed medication within the context of the client’s treatment plan.
This integrated approach reflects our belief that medication, when appropriate, is most effective when it is part of a comprehensive, whole-person treatment strategy.
Who Is Medication Management Right For?
Medication management may be an appropriate treatment option for many different types of people struggling with substance abuse. Some examples include those who are:
- Seeking to manage an opioid use disorder and who can receive benefit from taking FDA-approved medications like buprenorphine or naltrexone to help reduce their cravings and achieve long-term recovery.
- Seeking to manage an alcohol use disorder and who will benefit from medication that can help reduce their desire to drink alcohol or help block how rewarding it feels to drink.
- Dealing with co-occurring mental health disorders (like depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, or PTSD) and who need to take medication for their mental health while simultaneously treating their addiction
- Experiencing significant withdrawal symptoms from drug addiction that could be safely managed with appropriate supportive medications.
- Attempting recovery after unsuccessfully trying in the past and may need the added stabilization that medication provides.
- Under the care of psychiatric providers who can work to coordinate and monitor their current medications.
The Efficacy of Medication Management in Addiction Treatment
The evidence supporting FDA-approved medications as effective for the treatment of substance use disorders is clear and has been proven through extensive research:
- Opioid use disorder medications save lives: Medications such as buprenorphine and naltrexone are some of the most effective treatment options for opioid use disorder available.[2] They are recognized by SAMHSA and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) because they significantly reduce the risk of overdose, relapse, and death when used as part of a comprehensive treatment program.
- Alcohol use disorder medications improve outcomes: Naltrexone and acamprosate have been found to significantly decrease alcohol cravings and support clients’ success in maintaining abstinence through their integration with behavioral therapies.[3]
- Medication-assisted treatment reduces relapse: Studies consistently demonstrate that clients who receive medication assisted treatment and support in their addiction treatment have much higher retention rates in the program and significantly fewer relapses than clients who do not receive any medication support.[4]
- Addressing co-occurring conditions: When managing a co-occurring mental health disorder, appropriately delivering psychiatric medication produces positive outcomes for both the client’s mental health and their recovery from drug addiction, supporting our integrated dual diagnosis treatment model.[5]
- The Gold Standard: All three federal health organizations—SAMHSA, the FDA, and NIDA—identify medication-assisted treatment as a gold standard of evidence-based opioid addiction care.[6]
When medication is clinically appropriate and properly managed, it is one of the most effective tools available for supporting lasting recovery.
Medication Management at Meridian Recovery
Meridian Recovery provides individualized medication management through an evidence-based program. Key differences in our approach include:
- Expert Clinicians: All of our evaluations, prescriptions, and monitoring are conducted by licensed professionals, including psychiatrists, with specific expertise in addiction medicine and co-occurring disorders.
- Evidence-Based Practices: Our providers use research-backed practices and coordinate with you to provide the most effective treatments available today.
- Collaborative Decisions: Your clinicians will provide you with a clear rationale for every prescribed medication. Your relationship with our staff is built upon informed consent and shared decision-making.
- Continuous Monitoring: Medication management does not stop with the initial prescription. Your clinician remains involved throughout the entire process of your treatment program, meeting regularly with you to determine your real-time progress.
- Integrated Dual Diagnosis Support: We specialize in treating the “whole person” by managing medications for mental health conditions—such as depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder—alongside addiction-related treatments. This ensures your entire treatment plan is chemically balanced and cohesive.
Medication management is about removing the physiological barriers that make the work of recovery feel impossible. By stabilizing symptoms and reducing cravings, we help you stay present and engaged in your journey toward long-term health.
Please note: The medications referenced on this page represent examples of FDA-approved options used in addiction treatment. Medication decisions at Meridian Recovery are made on an individualized basis by qualified clinical professionals and are not guaranteed components of every treatment plan.
Contact Us
Medication Is One Piece of a Larger Picture
If you or a loved one is seeking addiction treatment and want to understand whether medication management may be part of the right approach, Meridian Recovery is here to help. Our admissions team will walk you through your options honestly and connect you with the clinical expertise you need.
Frequently Asked Questions About Medication Management for Addiction
What medication is used to treat addiction?
The medications used to treat substance abuse vary based on the type of addiction. For opioid addiction, FDA-approved options include buprenorphine and naltrexone. For alcohol use disorder, options include naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram. Psychotropic medications for co-occurring mental health conditions may also be used. All decisions are made on an individualized basis by qualified clinical providers.
Why would someone need medication management?
Medication management is appropriate whenever a person has significant cravings, withdrawal symptoms, or co-occurring psychiatric diagnoses that will benefit from support during the recovery process. For many, medication provides the neurological stability necessary to apply the benefits of therapy.
What does medication management entail?
Medically managing drug addiction involves the clinical oversight of medications—including evaluation, prescription, monitoring, and adjustment—as part of an integrated treatment plan. This is provided by qualified medical professionals like psychiatrists and registered nurses to ensure safety and efficacy.
What does the term medication management mean?
It refers to the ongoing process of evaluating, prescribing, and adjusting medications in a safe manner throughout your course of treatment. It is an ongoing clinical relationship that evolves concurrently with the progress of your recovery, not just a one-time prescription.
Sources
[1] Viswanathan, M., Kahwati, L. C., Golin, C. E., Blalock, S., Coker-Schwimmer, E., Posey, R., & Lohr, K. N. (2014). Medication therapy management interventions in outpatient settings (Comparative Effectiveness Review No. 138). Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK294478/
[2] National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2022, January). How do medications to treat opioid use disorder work?. https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/medications-to-treat-opioid-addiction/how-do-medications-to-treat-opioid-addiction-work
[3] Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2013). Incorporating alcohol pharmacotherapies into medical practice (Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series 49). Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64041/
[4] Timko, C., Schultz, N. R., Cucciare, M. A., Vittorio, L., & Garrison-Diehn, C. (2016). Retention in medication-assisted treatment for opiate dependence: A systematic review. Journal of Addictive Diseases, 35(1), 22–35. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6542472/
[5] Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2020). Substance use disorder treatment for people with co-occurring disorders (Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series 42). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64197/
[6] Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2024, February 2). Medications for substance use disorders. https://www.samhsa.gov/substance-use/treatment/options
