Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) in Beverly Hills, CA
Substance abuse and addiction is more than just a habit. Aside from the mental and emotional aspects of addiction, many people are physically dependent too.
Medication assisted treatment or MAT can help patients who are struggling to escape physical symptoms of addiction.
The medication assisted treatment team at Faith Recovery Center monitors patients carefully as they are weaned off addictive substances with safe and approved medication based treatments.
If you or your loved one are afraid of the physical side effects of recovery, our medication assisted treatment team can help. So, ask our admissions team for more information when you call.
What is Medication Assisted Treatment for Addiction?
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) for addiction is a comprehensive approach to treating substance use disorders that combines FDA-approved medications with behavioral therapy and counseling. The goal is not just to stop drug or alcohol use temporarily but to support long-term recovery, reduce cravings, manage withdrawal symptoms, and prevent relapse.
How Does MAT Work?
Addiction changes the brain’s chemistry, creating strong cravings and withdrawal symptoms that make recovery difficult. MAT medications such as methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone help stabilize brain function: methadone and buprenorphine reduce cravings and ease withdrawal, while naltrexone blocks the euphoric effects of opioids or alcohol to discourage relapse. By managing withdrawal symptoms and reducing cravings, these medications make detoxification safer and recovery more achievable. However, MAT is not just about medication; it is paired with behavioral therapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and group or family counseling to address the psychological and social aspects of addiction. Patients also receive ongoing monitoring, support, and medication adjustments from healthcare providers, ensuring a structured path toward long-term recovery.
Common Medications Used in Medication Assisted Treatment
- Methadone – Reduces cravings and withdrawal for people with opioid use disorder by activating opioid receptors in a controlled way, helping patients stabilize and focus on recovery.
- Buprenorphine – Eases withdrawal and cravings for those with opioid use disorder by partially activating opioid receptors without producing a high, lowering the risk of misuse.
- Naltrexone – Supports long-term abstinence in opioid and alcohol use disorder by blocking opioid receptors and preventing pleasurable effects from substances.
- Acamprosate – Helps people with alcohol use disorder maintain sobriety by restoring brain chemical balance disrupted by chronic alcohol use, reducing post-withdrawal symptoms.
- Disulfiram – Reinforces abstinence in alcohol use disorder by blocking the enzyme that processes alcohol, causing unpleasant reactions if alcohol is consumed.
- Topiramate – Assists in treating alcohol use disorder by modulating GABA and glutamate neurotransmission to reduce cravings and support abstinence.
- Lofexidine – Reduces opioid withdrawal symptoms for those with opioid use disorder by lowering norepinephrine activity in the brain, easing detoxification.
- Clonidine – Helps manage physical withdrawal symptoms in opioid use disorder by calming overactive nervous system responses.
- Varenicline – Supports nicotine/tobacco cessation by partially stimulating nicotine receptors to reduce cravings while blocking the rewarding effects of smoking.
- Bupropion – Aids nicotine/tobacco cessation and sometimes stimulant cravings by affecting dopamine and norepinephrine pathways, reducing withdrawal and cravings.
What's Included in Our MAT Program?
Our Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) program provides a comprehensive approach to addiction recovery, combining safe, FDA-approved medications with expert medical care and emotional support.
Levels of Care
- Detox
- Residential Treatment
Benefits of Program
- Safe, Supervised Detox
- Customized Medication Plans
- Gradual Dose Reduction
- 24/7 Medical Oversight
Duration of Stay
The program’s length is tailored to individual needs, ensuring patients receive the necessary support throughout their recovery journey.
Who Is This Program For?
Call Now for Program Availability
Get a confidential consultation and explore your options. Our friendly support team is here to help.
Faith Recovery Provide MAT - Using Buprenorphine, using Naltrexone in Beverly Hills, CA
There are several safe, FDA approved medications that can be used to treat addiction and substance abuse. Naltrexone and Buprenorphine are two of the medications our team can use to support our patients’ recovery.
These medications are safe when administered and monitored by our professional medical team, and they can make many of the physical effects of detoxing and addiction recovery a lot more manageable.
Substance Abuse Treatment with MAT
If you or your loved one have struggled to cope with detoxing or giving up their substance of choice in the past, they might need a little extra help to make this important step.
Patients who choose MAT are under the care of the medical team at all times. Their health and response to the medication are monitored carefully.
Medication doses are gradually decreased, allowing the patient to ease into sobriety gently.
Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) VS Medication Assisted Detox
Detox is an intense part of the addiction treatment process that usually happens at the start of the process.
Once patients have completed detox, whether medically assisted or not, they are through the worst of the process, but that does not mean they are no longer addicted.
Medically assisted treatment helps patients who have completed detox to continue their recovery slowly and gradually. This allows them to focus on mental and emotional recovery as well as breaking their physical addiction.
If you’re not sure whether you or a loved one need medically assisted detox, medically assisted treatment or something else, our team can help. Let’s talk.
Call Now for Program Availability
Get a confidential consultation and explore your options. Our friendly support team is here to help.
Benefits of MAT in Addiction Treatment
MAT provides multiple benefits in addiction treatment by addressing both physical and psychological aspects of substance use disorders. It reduces withdrawal symptoms and cravings, making detoxification safer and recovery more manageable. MAT stabilizes brain chemistry, helping patients resist relapse and maintain long-term sobriety. Combined with counseling and behavioral therapies, it supports mental health, improves coping strategies, and addresses triggers for addiction. MAT increases retention in treatment programs, reduces the risk of overdose and other health complications, and helps patients rebuild social and occupational functioning.
Risks & Side Effects of MAT
Medication-Assisted Treatment can have side effects and risks, but it is generally much safer than uncontrolled substance use. Common side effects vary by medication. Methadone may cause drowsiness, constipation, nausea, sweating, or, rarely, heart rhythm changes. Buprenorphine can cause headache, nausea, constipation, and mild drowsiness. Naltrexone may lead to nausea, headache, fatigue, liver enzyme changes, or injection-site reactions. Acamprosate can cause diarrhea, nausea, and mild anxiety, while disulfiram may trigger flushing, nausea, or rapid heartbeat if alcohol is consumed. Other medications like clonidine, lofexidine, varenicline, and bupropion have side effects such as low blood pressure, dizziness, insomnia, or mood changes. Regarding addiction risk, methadone and buprenorphine are opioids and can lead to dependence if misused, but when taken as prescribed in a structured MAT program, the risk is much lower than the risk of untreated opioid use. Naltrexone, acamprosate, disulfiram, varenicline, and bupropion are not addictive. MAT requires regular monitoring to adjust doses and manage side effects, and combining these medications with alcohol or other opioids can be dangerous.
Who is MAT Best For?
MAT is best for individuals struggling with substance use disorders who need medical support to manage cravings and withdrawal while addressing the behavioral aspects of addiction. It is most commonly used for people with opioid use disorder, alcohol use disorder, and, in some cases, nicotine or stimulant dependence. MAT is appropriate for adults and adolescents who have a documented history of substance dependence, especially when previous attempts at abstinence or counseling alone have not been successful.
Signs that someone may benefit from MAT include:
- Experiencing intense cravings or withdrawal symptoms when trying to reduce or stop substance use.
- Repeated relapse after detoxification or attempts at recovery.
- Difficulty maintaining sobriety or abstinence despite knowing the negative consequences of substance use.
- Physical or mental health issues caused or worsened by substance use.
- High risk of overdose, especially in opioid users.
- Struggling with daily functioning, relationships, or employment due to substance use.
Does Insurance Cover MAT Treatment in Los Angeles, CA?
In Los Angeles, most health insurance plans cover Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) for addiction, though coverage depends on the specific plan and services needed. MAT is considered an essential health benefit and is generally included in most ACA-compliant private plans and Medi-Cal, California’s Medicaid program.
For public insurance, Medi-Cal usually covers MAT medications for opioid and alcohol use disorders, such as buprenorphine, methadone in certified programs, naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram, along with counseling and therapy services. Some medications, like long-acting injectable naltrexone or acamprosate, may require prior authorization. Managed care plans in Los Angeles County, including LA Care, Anthem, and Health Net, also include MAT coverage as part of behavioral health benefits.
For private and employer-based insurance, most ACA-compliant plans cover MAT medications and related treatment services, although prior authorization may be required and there can be copays, deductibles, or formulary limits depending on the policy. Major carriers in the Los Angeles area, such as Aetna, Blue Shield, Cigna, and UnitedHealthcare, typically provide MAT coverage as part of substance use disorder benefits.
How Long Does MAT Treatment Last?
Some people may use MAT for a few months, while others benefit from longer-term treatment lasting a year or more. The primary goal is to stabilize the brain, reduce cravings, and prevent relapse, allowing patients to focus on therapy, counseling, and building a sustainable recovery plan.
Whether a person continues taking medication after completing a formal treatment program depends on their progress and medical guidance. Some patients gradually taper off medications under supervision, while others may stay on medications like buprenorphine or naltrexone long-term to maintain stability and prevent relapse. The decision is individualized and should always be made with a healthcare provider, based on factors such as duration of addiction, severity of cravings, risk of relapse, and overall recovery goals.
We Accept Most Insurances
