What Medication-Assisted Treatment Is
Medication-assisted treatment, or MAT, is the use of FDA-approved medications together with counseling to treat opioid and alcohol use disorders. The medication is one part of it, not the whole: it reduces cravings and eases withdrawal so the underlying addiction can be treated through therapy. MAT is backed by decades of research as one of the most effective approaches for opioid and alcohol addiction, because it addresses the brain chemistry of dependence while counseling addresses the behavior and the causes. The point of pairing the two is that medication makes recovery possible to engage with, and therapy makes it last.
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What Happens Alongside And After MAT
How MAT Works At Quest 2 Recovery
MAT at Quest 2 Recovery is built into the treatment continuum rather than offered on its own, which is the main difference from a standalone medication clinic. Treatment starts with a medical evaluation that looks at your substance use, your health, and your history, and determines whether medication is appropriate and which approach fits. From there, medication is paired with the counseling and therapy you receive in our program, so it supports the clinical work rather than standing in for it. Because detox, residential treatment, and aftercare are part of the same path here, medication-assisted treatment connects to the rest of your care without sending you between separate providers. Your case manager coordinates the medical and therapeutic sides together.
The Medications Used In MAT
MAT uses a small set of FDA-approved medications, matched to the substance and to the person. The right one depends on your history, where you are in recovery, and a medical evaluation, so the choice is made with a clinician rather than picked from a list.
For opioid use disorder:
Buprenorphine (Suboxone)
a partial opioid agonist that reduces cravings and withdrawal without producing the high of full opioids. Suboxone combines buprenorphine with naloxone, which deters misuse. It is commonly used in outpatient and step-down care.
Naltrexone (Vivitrol)
an opioid antagonist that blocks the effects of opioids. Vivitrol is the extended-release form, given as a monthly injection, and it requires being free of opioids for a period before the first dose.
Methadone
a full agonist and one of the three FDA-approved options for opioid use disorder. Methadone for addiction is dispensed only through federally certified opioid treatment programs, so it is provided through those specialized clinics rather than in a residential setting. For alcohol use disorder:
For alcohol use disorder:
Naltrexone
reduces cravings and the reinforcing effects of alcohol, available as a daily tablet or the monthly Vivitrol injection.
Acamprosate
helps restore brain chemistry disrupted by long-term alcohol use and is typically started after detox.
Disulfiram
discourages drinking by causing an unpleasant reaction if alcohol is consumed.
Substances We Treat
MAT applies to opioid and alcohol use disorders, and our program treats those alongside the other major substances through the wider continuum. Each links to more on how we treat it:
Alcohol:
alcohol use disorder, where medication can reduce cravings alongside therapy.
Opioids (fentanyl, heroin, prescription painkillers):
opioid use disorder, the primary focus of MAT.
Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Klonopin, Ativan, Valium):
treated through medically supervised care; MAT medications are specific to opioids and alcohol.
Cocaine:
treated with therapy-based care, as there is no FDA-approved medication for stimulant addiction.
Methamphetamine:
treated with behavioral approaches for the same reason.
Adderall and prescription stimulants:
treated through therapy-based care.
If you are unsure whether what you are using is treatable in our detox, call (855) 783-7888 and we will tell you.
MAT Medications Compared
The FDA-approved opioid medications work in different ways, and the right fit depends on where you are in recovery. The table compares the main options so the differences are clear.
| Buprenorphine (Suboxone) | Naltrexone (Vivitrol) | Methadone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it works | Partial opioid agonist; reduces cravings and withdrawal | Opioid antagonist; blocks opioid effects | Full opioid agonist; reduces cravings and withdrawal |
| Form | Daily film or tablet | Monthly injection | Daily dose |
| Before starting | Started during withdrawal | Requires being opioid-free first | Started under clinical supervision |
| Where it is provided | Outpatient and residential settings | Outpatient and residential settings | Certified opioid treatment programs only |
| Best suited to | Many people in early to mid recovery | People past acute withdrawal who prefer monthly dosing | Intensive cases managed through an OTP |
All three are FDA-approved and effective; the choice is clinical, made with your medical team based on your history and recovery stage. Buprenorphine and naltrexone are the options used in residential and outpatient settings, while methadone for addiction is provided only through certified opioid treatment programs.
Who MAT Is For
MAT is for adults with opioid or alcohol use disorder, particularly when cravings and withdrawal have made it hard to stop or stay stopped. It fits people recovering from dependence on heroin, fentanyl, or prescription painkillers, and people with alcohol use disorder for whom medication can reduce the pull to drink. MAT is often the right approach when previous attempts without medication did not hold, or when withdrawal and cravings are severe enough to derail treatment on their own. It is not a fit for every substance: there is no FDA-approved medication for stimulant addiction like cocaine or meth, which are treated with therapy-based approaches instead. A medical evaluation determines whether MAT is appropriate for your situation.
Insurance And Cost
We work with most major PPO insurance plans, including Anthem Blue Cross, Aetna, Cigna, GEHA, Tricare, and Carelon, and we verify your benefits before you commit to anything. We do not accept Medicaid or Medicare. Most commercial plans cover medication-assisted treatment when it is medically necessary, though your out-of-pocket cost depends on your deductible and plan. Our team checks your coverage and explains it in plain terms, usually within minutes, so you know what to expect before admission. Verify your insurance or call (855) 783-7888.
What Makes MAT Quest 2 Recovery Different
MAT here is part of a full treatment program rather than a standalone medication service, which changes what it can do. At a medication-only clinic, you get a prescription and periodic check-ins. In our program, medication is paired with the therapy, structure, and clinical support of residential treatment, so the medication supports recovery rather than carrying it alone. For someone whose addiction has been hard to stop, that combination tends to hold better than medication by itself.
The program is also built as a continuum rather than a single service. Because Quest 2 Recovery offers detox, residential treatment, dual diagnosis care, and aftercare on the same path, medication-assisted treatment connects from one stage to the next without transfers to other facilities. Your case manager keeps the medical and therapeutic sides coordinated from your first day through discharge.
Quest 2 Recovery is a licensed California facility (DHCS License #190992AP), Joint Commission accredited, and LegitScript certified. Those are independent, verifiable credentials, and they are the same signals insurers and clinicians look for when deciding where to send someone for addiction care. Our facility serves Lancaster, Palmdale, Quartz Hill, and the wider Antelope Valley, with admission often available the same day you call.
Frequently Asked Questions
What medications are used in medication-assisted treatment?
MAT uses FDA-approved medications matched to the substance. For opioid use disorder, the options are buprenorphine (Suboxone), naltrexone (Vivitrol), and methadone. For alcohol use disorder, the options are naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram. Which one fits is a clinical decision made with your medical team.
Is MAT just replacing one drug with another?
No. The medications used in MAT do not produce the high associated with misuse; they reduce cravings and withdrawal so you can engage in treatment. This is a common misconception. MAT is an evidence-based approach backed by decades of research, and it pairs medication with counseling rather than substituting one dependence for another.
What is the difference between Suboxone and Vivitrol?
Suboxone (buprenorphine) is a daily medication that reduces cravings and withdrawal, while Vivitrol (naltrexone) is a monthly injection that blocks the effects of opioids. Suboxone is often used earlier in recovery, and Vivitrol requires being opioid-free before the first dose. Your medical team helps determine which fits your situation.
Does MAT work for alcohol addiction?
Yes. MAT is used for alcohol use disorder as well as opioid use disorder. The medications for alcohol, including naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram, reduce cravings or discourage drinking, and they work alongside counseling. They are typically started after detox.
Is MAT covered by insurance?
Most major PPO plans cover medication-assisted treatment when it is medically necessary. We verify your specific benefits, usually within minutes, and explain what is covered before you decide anything. We do not accept Medicaid or Medicare.
Do I need detox before starting MAT?
It depends on the medication and your situation. Some MAT medications are started during withdrawal, while others require being free of the substance first. Detox and MAT are part of the same continuum here, so the timing is coordinated, and your medical team determines the right sequence during your evaluation.
Can MAT treat stimulant addiction like cocaine or meth?
No. There is no FDA-approved medication for stimulant addiction, so cocaine and methamphetamine use disorders are treated with therapy-based approaches rather than MAT. We treat stimulant addiction through behavioral therapy and the other parts of our program.
Medical reviewer
Medically reviewed by Neda Javaherian, MD, Quest 2 Recovery.
Medication-assisted treatment can make recovery from opioid or alcohol addiction easier to start and to sustain, and our team can tell you whether it fits your situation. Our admissions team is available to verify your insurance, answer your questions, and arrange same-day admission when it is right. Call (855) 783-7888 or verify your insurance.