Medication assisted treatment, or MAT, combines FDA approved medication with counseling and behavioral therapy to treat opioid and alcohol addiction. The Hope Institute provides MAT on an outpatient basis for adults, pairing medication that reduces cravings and withdrawal with the therapy that supports lasting recovery. Treatment is delivered in person and through telehealth.
If you’re struggling, we’re here to help, and reaching out is the first step toward a life that feels lighter and more your own. Call (855) 659-2310 today and take that first step with a team that listens without judgment.
Medication Assisted Treatment for Addiction Recovery
Medication-assisted treatment is the use of FDA approved medication alongside counseling and behavioral therapy to treat substance use disorders. The medication eases cravings and withdrawal so the clinical work of recovery becomes possible; the therapy addresses the thoughts, behaviors, and circumstances behind the addiction. Neither half works as well alone, which is why MAT pairs them.
MAT is most established for opioid use disorder and alcohol use disorder. Both are conditions where the right medication measurably reduces cravings and the risk of return to use, and where counseling turns that stability into durable change.
Medication Assisted Treatment at The Hope Institute
MAT at The Hope Institute is an outpatient program, which means you receive medication and counseling on a scheduled basis while living at home and keeping up with work, school, or family. A medical provider evaluates your history, confirms which medication fits your situation, and monitors your progress, adjusting the plan as recovery moves forward. Medication is one part of the plan; individual and group counseling carry the rest.
This is the difference between MAT in an office based outpatient setting and a methadone clinic. Office-based MAT with buprenorphine or naltrexone lets you fold treatment into daily life rather than building your day around a clinic visit. Telehealth makes that easier still, removing transportation and scheduling as reasons to fall out of care.
Recovery Medications We Use
Two FDA approved medications anchor MAT at The Hope Institute: buprenorphine and naltrexone. The right one depends on your substance, your treatment history, and where you are in recovery, and that choice is made with a medical provider.
Buprenorphine, often prescribed as Suboxone, is a partial opioid agonist used for opioid use disorder. It binds to the same receptors as opioids but produces far less of a high, which reduces cravings and withdrawal without the cycle of intoxication. Suboxone combines buprenorphine with naloxone to lower the potential for misuse. It is generally started as a person moves through early withdrawal, and it can support long-term recovery.
Naltrexone treats both opioid and alcohol use disorder, and it works differently: it blocks opioid receptors entirely, so opioids and alcohol no longer produce their usual effect. It is taken as a daily pill or a monthly injection, and because it is not an opioid, it carries no potential for misuse. Naltrexone is started after a person has already completed detox and is no longer using.
Methadone is a third FDA approved option for opioid use disorder, but federal rules allow it to be dispensed only through licensed opioid treatment programs, not office-based outpatient settings. Where methadone is the right fit, treatment runs through one of those programs rather than through our outpatient MAT.
MAT Options for Alcohol Addiction
MAT treats alcohol use disorder, not only opioid addiction. For alcohol, naltrexone reduces cravings and blunts the reinforcing effects of drinking, which makes it easier to maintain the changes built in counseling. As with opioid treatment, the medication is paired with therapy rather than used on its own, and a medical provider confirms it fits your health history before starting.
Counseling Alongside Medication
Medication makes recovery possible; counseling makes it last. MAT at The Hope Institute pairs medication with individual therapy and group sessions, using approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy. CBT works on the thoughts and behaviors that lead back toward use; DBT builds skills for managing intense emotions and high risk moments. For adults managing a co-occurring mental health condition alongside addiction, that condition is treated at the same time, since leaving it untreated is a common path back to use.
How long MAT Lasts
MAT is not a fixed length program. Treatment at The Hope Institute typically runs at least one year, and many people stay engaged longer to protect their recovery. The medication and the counseling schedule ease as stability holds, and any decision to taper is made with a medical provider based on cravings, health, and how settled recovery is, not on a set calendar.
Coverage and Payment Options
The Hope Institute works with most major insurance plans, and the fastest way to learn what yours covers for MAT is to let us verify your benefits. Coverage for medication and counseling varies by plan, so confirming it up front means no surprises. Contact us to verify your insurance and our team will walk you through what is covered.
Detox Comes First When It Is Needed
Some people need detox before MAT begins, and some medications are started only after detox is complete. The Hope Institute does not provide detox on-site. Where detox is needed, we connect you with a trusted detox facility, then provide the outpatient MAT and counseling that follow.
Medically Reviewed By
Dr. Saquiba Syed, MD, FACP, a Jersey City internist with over 20 years of experience, affiliated with Jersey City Medical Center and CarePoint Health Hoboken University Medical Center. A graduate of King Edward Medical University, she reviews The Hope Institute’s addiction treatment content for medical accuracy.
Hope and Healing Begin Here
Your recovery at The Hope Institute is molded around everyday living, with therapy and support structured to work alongside your job, your loved ones, and your daily duties. Guided by an experienced team at every stage, you’ll receive personalized treatment that moves at a speed that feels right.
Call (855) 659-2310 or visit our contact page to explore our programs or begin your assessment. Your privacy is fully respected, and everything you share with us stays confidential.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a MAT program?
A MAT program combines FDA-approved medication with counseling and behavioral therapy to treat opioid and alcohol addiction. The medication reduces cravings and withdrawal while therapy addresses the causes of addiction, and the two are used together rather than separately.
Which medications are used in MAT at The Hope Institute?
The Hope Institute works with buprenorphine, often prescribed as Suboxone, for opioid use disorder, and naltrexone for both opioid and alcohol use disorder. A medical provider determines which medication fits your substance, history, and stage of recovery.
Does MAT replace one addiction with another?
No. Buprenorphine and naltrexone are prescribed and monitored so they do not produce a high, and naltrexone is not an opioid at all. MAT stabilizes brain chemistry so a person can engage in therapy, which is the opposite of trading one dependency for another.
What support services come with MAT at The Hope Recovery Institute?
The Hope Recovery Institute provides complete support services alongside MAT in Milford, NJ. These include individual counseling, group therapy, family support programs, and mental health treatment. Patients also receive help with life skills, job training, and housing resources. The treatment team creates a full recovery plan that deals with all aspects of addiction and recovery, not just medication management.
Is MAT only for opioid addiction?
No. MAT treats alcohol use disorder as well. Naltrexone reduces alcohol cravings and the reinforcing effects of drinking, and it is used alongside counseling, the same way MAT is used for opioid recovery.
Can MAT be done as an outpatient program?
Yes. The Hope Institute provides MAT on an outpatient basis, so you receive medication and counseling on a schedule while living at home. Telehealth is available where it fits your plan of care.
How long does MAT last?
MAT at The Hope Institute typically runs at least one year, and many people stay longer to protect their recovery. The length depends on your progress and is decided with a medical provider, not by a fixed calendar.
Does insurance cover MAT?
Most major insurance plans cover some level of MAT, though it varies by plan. Contact us to verify your benefits and we will explain what your plan covers before treatment begins.