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Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) at Simonds Recovery Centers combines FDA-approved medications with counseling to treat opioid and alcohol addiction. Our MAT program uses medications like Suboxone, methadone, and naltrexone to reduce cravings and ease withdrawal, all under medical supervision, so you can focus on recovery while your body stabilizes.
What medication-assisted treatment is
Medication-assisted treatment is the use of FDA-approved medications, alongside counseling and behavioral therapy, to treat opioid and alcohol use disorders. The medications reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms, which removes much of the physical struggle that derails early recovery and lets a person engage fully in therapy. It is an evidence-based approach recognized by SAMHSA as a standard of care for opioid and alcohol addiction.
MAT is not replacing one drug with another. The medications are prescribed and monitored by medical professionals at doses that stabilize brain chemistry without producing a high, which is what makes therapy and lasting change possible.
How MAT works
MAT works by pairing medication with therapy so both the physical and psychological sides of addiction are treated together. The medication stabilizes the body and quiets cravings; the counseling addresses the thoughts, behaviors, and circumstances behind the addiction. Neither half works as well alone.
At Simonds, MAT is delivered under medical supervision and integrated with our other care. Medication is matched to the substance and the person, then adjusted over time based on progress, always with the goal of long-term recovery rather than indefinite dependence on any single medication.
MAT medications we use
MAT uses different FDA-approved medications depending on whether the addiction involves opioids or alcohol. Each works differently, and the right choice depends on the substance, history, and medical needs of the person. The table below summarizes the main medications used in MAT.
MAT medications at a glance
| Medication | Used for | How it works |
| Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone) | Opioid use disorder | Partial opioid agonist; reduces cravings and withdrawal without producing a full high |
| Methadone | Opioid use disorder | Long-acting opioid agonist; reduces cravings and withdrawal under close supervision |
| Naltrexone (oral or Vivitrol injection) | Opioid and alcohol use disorder | Opioid antagonist; blocks opioid effects and reduces alcohol cravings, non-addictive |
| Acamprosate | Alcohol use disorder | Helps stabilize brain chemistry to support abstinence from alcohol |
Which medication fits depends on the individual. Suboxone and methadone are used for opioid dependence, naltrexone works for both opioids and alcohol, and acamprosate supports alcohol recovery. The choice is made by the medical team with the person, as part of a full treatment plan.
MAT for opioid addiction
MAT for opioid addiction uses Suboxone, methadone, or naltrexone to manage the intense cravings and withdrawal that make opioid recovery so difficult. Suboxone and methadone ease withdrawal and cravings by acting on the same receptors opioids target, while naltrexone blocks opioid effects entirely for people who have already detoxed.
For opioids like fentanyl and heroin, this medical support can be the difference between staying in treatment and relapsing during the hardest early weeks. MAT is paired with counseling so the underlying drivers of opioid use are addressed alongside the physical dependence.
MAT for alcohol addiction
MAT for alcohol addiction uses naltrexone or acamprosate to reduce cravings and support abstinence. Naltrexone lowers the urge to drink by blunting alcohol’s rewarding effects, while acamprosate helps stabilize brain chemistry disrupted by long-term drinking.
As with opioid treatment, alcohol MAT works best combined with therapy. The medication makes cravings manageable; the counseling builds the skills and changes that keep recovery going.
How MAT fits into treatment at Simonds
MAT is one part of the full continuum of care at Simonds, not a standalone fix. Many people begin with medical detox, then continue MAT through partial hospitalization (PHP), or intensive outpatient (IOP) care as they stabilize.
Pairing MAT with behavioral therapies like CBT and DBT treats the addiction from both directions at once. Our medical team oversees the medication while the clinical team works on the behavioral side, all within one coordinated plan.
Insurance and getting started
MAT is part of the treatment we provide, and most major insurance plans cover medication-assisted treatment for addiction. We work with carriers including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Optum, and Humana, among others, and our admissions team confirms your specific benefits before you start.
Verifying benefits takes a few minutes and carries no obligation. Submit the insurance verification form or call +1 (833) 781-8338.
Medically reviewed by
Chris Small, M.D. Addiction Psychiatrist. Dr. Small is board certified in Psychiatry, Addiction Medicine, and Family Medicine. He earned his medical degree at the University of Hawaii and completed his residency in Psychiatry and Family Medicine at UCSD.
Start treatment that supports a safer recovery
Talk to our admissions team about whether MAT is right for you. Call +1 (833) 781-8338 or verify your insurance now.
