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Medication-assisted treatment, or MAT, combines FDA-approved medication with therapy to treat opioid and alcohol addiction. Northridge Addiction Treatment Center provides MAT as part of physician-led addiction treatment for adults, using medications like Suboxone, Vivitrol, and naltrexone alongside counseling in a residential setting. The medication reduces cravings and withdrawal so the clinical work of recovery can take hold.
What medication-assisted treatment is
Medication-assisted treatment is the use of FDA-approved medications, combined with counseling and behavioral therapy, to treat substance use disorders. It is the standard of care for opioid addiction and an effective option for alcohol addiction. The medications work by reducing cravings and easing withdrawal, which stabilizes the brain and body enough that a person can engage in therapy rather than being consumed by the physical pull of the substance.
MAT is sometimes now referred to as MOUD, or medication for opioid use disorder, when it applies specifically to opioids. The principle behind it is straightforward: addiction changes brain chemistry, and medication can help correct that chemistry while the underlying causes of the addiction are treated. MAT is not replacing one drug with another, a common misunderstanding. The medications are prescribed at controlled, therapeutic doses that do not produce a high, and they are one part of a plan that includes real clinical work.
How MAT works at Northridge
Medication-assisted treatment at Northridge is delivered inside a physician-led addiction treatment program, not as a standalone prescription service. This is an important distinction. Some providers operate as medication clinics, where a person visits, receives a prescription, and manages recovery largely on their own. Here, the medication is prescribed and monitored by the medical team as one component of complete, integrated treatment that also includes individual therapy, group work, and residential support.
That integration is what makes the medication effective. MAT on its own, without the therapy and structure around it, addresses the chemistry but not the reasons the addiction developed. The medical team evaluates whether MAT is appropriate for you, selects the medication that fits your situation, and adjusts it over time, all while the therapeutic side of treatment addresses the drivers of the substance use. Medication and therapy work on the same problem from two directions.
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Medications we use
Medication-assisted treatment at Northridge uses the FDA-approved medications for opioid and alcohol use disorder, selected by the medical team based on your situation. Each works differently:
Suboxone (buprenorphine and naloxone)
A partial opioid agonist that reduces cravings and withdrawal without producing a high, used for opioid use disorder.
Vivitrol (extended-release naltrexone)
A monthly injection that blocks the effects of opioids and reduces alcohol cravings, for people past acute withdrawal.
Oral naltrexone
A daily tablet that reduces cravings for both opioids and alcohol, for people with strong adherence.
Methadone
Used under physician supervision when clinically appropriate as part of an individualized plan for opioid use disorder.
The right medication depends on the substance, your treatment history, and your medical situation, and the choice is made by the medical team with you. Naltrexone, in both its oral and injectable forms, is also one of the most effective medications available for alcohol use disorder, which makes MAT relevant well beyond opioids.
Suboxone vs. Vivitrol vs. naltrexone
The three most common MAT medications work in different ways and suit different situations. The comparison below shows how they differ.
Dimension | Suboxone | Vivitrol | Oral naltrexone |
How it works | Partial opioid agonist, reduces cravings and withdrawal | Opioid antagonist, blocks opioid effects | Opioid antagonist, daily |
Administration | Daily film or tablet | Monthly injection | Daily tablet |
Used for | Opioid use disorder | Opioid and alcohol use disorder | Opioid and alcohol use disorder |
Best for | Early to mid recovery, broad population | Past acute withdrawal, prefers monthly dosing | Strong adherence, prefers daily oral |
All three are FDA-approved and effective, and none is universally best. Suboxone works for the broadest population and is the most prescribed. Vivitrol suits people who are past acute withdrawal and prefer a once-monthly injection over a daily medication. Oral naltrexone fits people who want a non-injectable option and can maintain a daily routine. The choice is made jointly by the medical team and you, based on your recovery and your preferences.
What are the disadvantages of MAT?
The main considerations with MAT are that some medications require a taper to stop, that it works best combined with therapy rather than alone, and that the right medication varies by person. These are real, and worth understanding honestly. Suboxone and methadone create a physical dependence of their own, which means stopping them requires a medically managed taper rather than an abrupt stop, though this is a controlled and predictable process under medical supervision.
MAT is also not a standalone solution. The evidence is clear that medication combined with counseling works far better than medication alone, which is why MAT here is delivered inside a full treatment program rather than as a prescription on its own. The benefits, for the right person, are substantial: MAT significantly reduces overdose risk, relapse, and the intensity of cravings, and for opioid use disorder it is the most effective treatment available. The disadvantages are manageable, and the medical team weighs them with you before starting.
Insurance and cost of MAT
Your health insurance may help cover the cost of medication-assisted treatment at Northridge, and the amount depends on your specific plan. We work with Aetna, Anthem, Cigna, Blue Shield of California, Health Net, UnitedHealthcare, and Kaiser Permanente, and we verify your benefits in about 15 minutes, free and confidential. MAT medications and the treatment around them are covered under most plans, and our team can explain how yours applies.
You do not need your policy details in hand to begin. Submit the verification form or call (855) 584-3819, and our admissions team will explain what your coverage includes in clear terms, with no obligation. Understanding coverage is a practical first step, and we make it a straightforward one.
Medication-assisted treatment at Northridge Addiction Treatment Center
Northridge Addiction Treatment Center provides medication-assisted treatment as part of an integrated, physician-led program in a small, 12-person residential setting. The physician-led structure matters for MAT in particular, because prescribing and adjusting these medications safely takes real medical oversight, and a small census means that oversight is close and individual. The facility is Joint Commission accredited, LegitScript Certified, and licensed by the California Department of Health Care Services. If you or someone you love could benefit from medication-assisted treatment, call (855) 584-3819 to speak with our admissions team.
Frequently asked questions
What is medication-assisted treatment?
Medication-assisted treatment combines FDA-approved medication with counseling and therapy to treat opioid and alcohol addiction. The medication reduces cravings and withdrawal so a person can engage in the clinical work of recovery. It is the standard of care for opioid use disorder.
What is the new name for medication-assisted treatment?
When it applies specifically to opioids, MAT is increasingly called MOUD, or medication for opioid use disorder. The change in terminology reflects an understanding of the medication as a legitimate treatment rather than a temporary aid. The approach itself, medication combined with therapy, is the same.
How long does medication-assisted treatment last?
The length of MAT varies by person and is a clinical decision, not a fixed schedule. Some people use medication for months, others for longer, based on their recovery and their medical team’s guidance. There is no set endpoint, and stopping is done through a managed taper when the time is right.
What are the disadvantages of MAT?
Some MAT medications create a physical dependence that requires a managed taper to stop, and MAT works best combined with therapy rather than used alone. The right medication also varies by person. These considerations are manageable under medical supervision, and for opioid use disorder the benefits, including reduced overdose and relapse risk, are substantial.
Is MAT just replacing one drug with another?
No. MAT medications are prescribed at controlled, therapeutic doses that do not produce a high, and they work by stabilizing brain chemistry so recovery can take hold. This is a common misunderstanding. The medications are one part of a treatment plan that includes therapy and addresses the causes of the addiction.
Which MAT medication is best?
No single medication is best for everyone. Suboxone works for the broadest population, Vivitrol suits people past acute withdrawal who prefer monthly dosing, and naltrexone fits those wanting a daily oral option. The right choice is made by the medical team with you, based on your situation.
Will my insurance cover MAT?
Your plan may cover medication-assisted treatment, and coverage depends on your specific benefits. We work with major carriers including Aetna, Anthem, Cigna, Blue Shield of California, Health Net, UnitedHealthcare, and Kaiser Permanente. Verify your benefits with our admissions team in about 15 minutes at no cost.
Medical Reviewer
This page was medically reviewed by Dr. Asad Hussain, MD, board-eligible in Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine, and Addiction Medicine. Dr. Hussain leads the medical team at Northridge Addiction Treatment Center
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