Medication-Assisted Recovery

Lutheran Social Services of Illinois’ Medication-Assisted Recovery (MAR) program assists people struggling with opioid use through the prescription of a medication called Suboxone that can help you or someone you know decrease opioid cravings and lower the risk of a fatal overdose.

Why use medication?

People use medications to help manage many health problems such as diabetes, cigarette smoking, or high cholesterol. Medications aid in people’s recovery while they make the lifestyle changes necessary for long-term recovery. Medications for opioid use disorder (also referred to as MOUDs) decrease illicit opioid use, reduce the risk of fatal overdose and death by about 50%, and improve patient outcomes even if the person is not receiving counseling. Warning: It is imperative that a person who uses Suboxone discontinues use of opioids. Using both Suboxone and opioids simultaneous could result in death.

Opioids include: 

  • Heroin
  • Fentanyl
  • Hydrocodone (Vicodin)
  • Oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet)
  • Oxymorphone (Opana)
  • Morphine (Kadian, Avinza)
  • Codeine

What does a MAR program look like?

You’ll work with a team that includes a physician/nurse practitioner, nurse, and a peer recovery specialist. The physician/nurse practitioner will perform an exam, provide education on Suboxone, and form a treatment plan based on your recovery goals. Our nurse will follow-up with you to make sure that the medication is working, and if not, will work with our physician/nurse practitioner to get you on the right track. Our peer recovery specialist will meet with you to ensure you have the right amount of support to achieve your recovery goals.

A treatment plan right for you

There is no one-size fits all recovery plan and LSSI’s MAR program allows clients to use what they need from our addiction treatment offerings. At LSSI you can:

  • Pursue MAR without accompanying treatment
  • Pursue residential or outpatient addiction treatment with us in addition to MAR
  • Pursue addiction treatment through a different provider and come to LSSI for MAR

Does MAR work?

Yes. When taken as prescribed, medications for opioid use disorder can be safely taken for months, years or even a lifetime, depending on your individual needs. People struggling with opioid use disorder are often more successful with MAR than non-medication alternatives. However, some people do recover from opioid use disorder without medications.

What is Suboxone?

Suboxone is an FDA approved prescription drug that diminishes the effects of physical dependency to opioids, such as withdrawal symptoms and cravings, it increases safety in cases of overdose and lowers the potential for misuse.

 

Interested in MAR? Call LSSI Connect!

Call LSSI Connect to find the right help by speaking to a trained professional over the phone. We listen, assess the situation, and refer you to programs that meet your specific needs. You can reach LSSI Connect at 833.610.5774. The phone call is free and confidential.