- Key takeaways:
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) is the most effective, evidence-based approach for treating opioid addiction.
- MAT combines FDA-approved medications with counseling and therapy to reduce cravings, withdrawal symptoms, and relapse risk.
- Buckeye Recovery Network offers customized MAT within various outpatient programs, including PHP, IOP, and evening IOP.
MAT helps prevent overdose and supports long-term recovery by stabilizing brain function and encouraging life rebuilding.
Opiate and opioid addiction affect millions of Americans, with rising fatalities from overdose. The drugs create health issues and destroy families and communities. An estimated 2.7 million Americans have opioid use disorder, and over 80,000 die annually from overdoses, which shows the urgency for effective treatment.
Addiction may be a vicious cycle of withdrawal, craving, and fear of relapse. Evidence-based Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) can improve outcomes. Buckeye Recovery Network in Huntington Beach offers this evidence-based care, combining FDA-approved medications that reduce cravings and withdrawal with compassionate outpatient care.
We offer different levels of care based on specific needs, such as Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), and outpatient care. We want to meet you where you are on your path to recovery, helping you build a healthier, addiction-free life through medical treatment and emotional support.
What Is Medication Assisted Treatment?
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is an integrated, whole-person treatment of opioid and opiate addiction. MAT seeks to treat the mental, emotional, and physical health of the entire individual, not just curtail drug use. MAT is revolutionizing the treatment of addiction as a more efficient and patient-focused methodology.
As per SAMHSA, MAT is the use of FDA-approved medications along with counseling and behavioral therapies to treat multi-factorial variables of drug use, hence encouraging recovery. MAT is the best, evidence-based treatment of opioid use disorder and the gold standard of care for addiction treatment.
In contrast to “cold turkey” withdrawal, medication-assisted treatment stabilizes the body and mind through the diminution of cravings and withdrawal symptoms. It ensures a safer recovery. The three general objectives are to curb appetite, avoid relapse, and facilitate long-term recovery. Surprisingly, MAT doesn’t just substitute one drug for another; it is geared towards providing a safe platform for a change of life.
By providing this safe space, clients will be more inclined to seek out counseling, learn coping skills, and be restored to their families and communities. These are all aspects required for long-term recovery.
Evidence indicates MAT is an effective treatment for opioid use disorder, but is underused. Private providers are prescribing to fewer than half of their clients, and fewer than slightly more than one-third of the clients who might benefit from medications receive them. There is a dire need for expanded access to ensure that more individuals can benefit from evidence-based treatment.
What Are Opiates and Opioids?
The drug must be known to look for information on addiction treatment. Opiates are derived from the opium poppy and include morphine (a medication for pain relief), codeine (used in cough syrups and pain medications), and heroin (an illicit drug). Opiates are endogenous drugs that bind to opioid brain receptors, reduce pain, and cause euphoria.
Opiates excluded, opioids are a general category of drugs that contain all of the opiates and also other medications that work upon the brain opioid receptors. They can be naturally occurring or synthetic and belong to the category; they might be prescribed legally to cure pain or get abused.
The class has semi-synthetic opioids like oxycodone and hydrocodone, which are synthetically produced from natural opiates, and fentanyl, a highly synthetic drug that can cause an overdose. The class also has completely synthetic opioids like tramadol and methadone, which are produced wholly by chemical synthesis.
For example, semi-synthetic opiate drugs such as hydrocodone and oxycodone are lab-altered natural opiate precursors that become more potent or whose effects are modified. Laboratory-made synthetic opioids such as fentanyl are not made using anything from natural opiates.
The majority of individuals inquire: Is Adderall an opioid? No. It is an ADHD stimulant, made of amphetamine salts, with a different mechanism of action than opioids. It does not act on the same receptor and is not an opioid.
Knowledge of the difference between opiates, opioids, and other medications is the key to successful Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT). Accurate knowledge ensures accurate treatment and reduces drug abuse.
How Does Medication-Assisted Treatment Help Protect Against Overdose?
One of the most powerful benefits of MAT is its ability to dramatically reduce the risk of overdose. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, medication assisted treatment can cut the risk of death by up to 50%. This protection is achieved through multiple mechanisms that address the complex nature of opioid addiction.
How does medication-assisted treatment help protect against overdose? The medications work by blocking the euphoric effects of opioids, reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms, and normalizing brain function and body responses. This creates a safety net that allows individuals to participate in therapy, build coping skills, and engage in recovery activities without the overwhelming drive to use substances.
The protective effects extend beyond immediate risk of overdose reduction. MAT helps stabilize individuals’ lives, enabling them to maintain employment, housing, and relationships—all factors that contribute to long-term recovery success. When people are stable on MAT, they’re less likely to engage in risky behaviors associated with illicit drug use, further reducing their overall risk of overdose.
MAT Medications Used in Treatment Programs
At Buckeye Recovery Network, our medical team uses several FDA-approved medications as part of our comprehensive MAT program. Each medication is carefully selected and customized to meet individual needs as part of a personalized treatment plan.
Methadone is a long-acting full opioid agonist that has been used for more than 50 years to treat opioid use disorder. It prevents withdrawal symptoms and reduces cravings when taken daily under close medical supervision. This option is often integrated into structured settings like our Partial Hospitalization Program, where patients receive intensive support and monitoring.
Buprenorphine, commonly prescribed as Suboxone®, Sublocade®, or Brixadi®, is a partial agonist that relieves withdrawal symptoms without producing a strong euphoric effect. It’s safer and easier to taper than methadone, making it an excellent option for patients in our IOP and Evening IOP programs. The unique properties of buprenorphine create a “ceiling effect” that reduces the risk of overdose compared to full opioid agonists.
Naltrexone, sold as Vivitrol®, is a non-addictive medication administered as a monthly injection that completely blocks opioid effects. It’s ideal for people who have already completed detoxification and want to maintain sobriety without using opioid-based medications. This option works particularly well for individuals committed to complete abstinence from all opioid substances.
Comprehensive Treatment Programs and Recovery Ecosystem
We don’t just offer treatment—we offer a family-oriented recovery experience through our complete ecosystem of treatment programs. Our approach ensures that each individual receives care appropriate to their specific needs and recovery stage.
Our Partial Hospitalization Program provides intensive, full-day treatment including individual therapy, group sessions, medication management, and holistic support. This highly structured program serves as an ideal transition for people coming from detox or those needing a higher level of care while maintaining the flexibility of outpatient treatment.
The Intensive Outpatient Program allows participants to engage in treatment three to five days a week while living at home or in supportive housing. Patients receive therapy, medication check-ins, and peer support while gradually building independence and life skills. Our Evening IOP offers the same comprehensive care but is scheduled to accommodate work or school commitments.
As individuals progress in recovery, our Outpatient Program provides continued support with fewer hours of treatment. This level maintains connection while building an independent life, ensuring that the transition from intensive care to independent living is smooth and well-supported.
Every program includes access to MAT and recovery-oriented services tailored to personal goals. We emphasize evidence-based therapies including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), EMDR for trauma recovery, and experiential therapies like cardio boxing, beach walks, and surf therapy.
Addressing Common Misconceptions About Medication Assisted Treatment
Despite overwhelming scientific evidence supporting MAT, several misconceptions persist that prevent people from accessing this life-saving treatment. “MAT just replaces one drug with another” is perhaps the most common and damaging myth. This is categorically false. Medications used in medication assisted treatment are safe, regulated, and do not produce euphoric highs when taken as prescribed. They work by normalizing brain chemistry that has been disrupted by addiction.
Another misconception suggests that people will be on MAT forever. The duration of treatment varies significantly among individuals. Some people taper off medications after a few months, while others benefit from longer-term use. The decision should always be made collaboratively between patients and their medical team based on individual progress and needs.
The stigma that “if I take MAT medications, I’m not really clean” represents a fundamental misunderstanding of addiction as a medical condition. This harmful belief contradicts decades of research demonstrating that medication assisted treatment is the standard of care for opioid use disorder. Just as diabetics take insulin or people with high blood pressure take antihypertensive medications, those with opioid use disorder benefit from medications that help restore normal brain function.
Your Path to Recovery Starts Today
You do not have to battle addiction on your own. At Buckeye Recovery Network, we are about turning addiction into wellness one step at a time, with people who get the journey. Whether you are battling opiate addiction, going through withdrawal, or restoring trust with family, our treatment programs are for you.
Our method acknowledges that recovery impacts the whole family, so we incorporate family therapy, education groups, and weekend sessions for loved ones to learn, ask questions, and grow together. It is this family-based methodology coupled with medical care that builds the foundation for long-term recovery.
Recovery is possible, and help is available. Medication-assisted treatment has helped many reclaim their lives. With the right plan, support, and commitment, individuals can overcome opioid addiction and build fulfilling lives.
If you’re willing to get started, call us or stop by our Huntington Beach facility to discuss possibilities. Together, we can take the initial step toward a healthier, addiction-free future full of hope.
FAQs
It’s a mix of meds like Suboxone or Vivitrol with therapy to ease cravings, prevent overdose, and support recovery.
It blocks opioid effects and stabilizes brain chemistry, lowering overdose risk by up to 50%.
Yes. Is heroin an opiate—it’s made from morphine and is a natural derivative of the poppy plant.
No. Is Adderall an opioid—it’s a stimulant used for ADHD, not a pain-relieving drug.
Yes! We offer IOP and Evening IOP so you can balance treatment with real life.
