Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) in NJ
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) combines FDA-approved medications with behavioral therapy to provide a whole-patient approach to addiction recovery. Speranza Behavioral Health integrates MAT into our treatment programs for opioid and alcohol use disorders.
What Is Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)?
Medication-Assisted Treatment uses FDA-approved medications in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies to treat substance use disorders. MAT is the evidence-based standard of care for opioid use disorder (OUD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD), supported by SAMHSA, the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), and major medical organizations.
From Our Clinical Director
MAT is one of the most evidence-based tools we have, and the stigma around it is one of the biggest barriers to recovery I see. We're not substituting one drug for another — we're treating a medical condition with medication, the same way we treat diabetes with insulin. Clients on MAT stay in treatment longer, relapse less, and are far less likely to overdose. The research is unambiguous.
Who Is This Therapy For?
A client has tried to stop using opioids on their own multiple times — each time, the withdrawal and cravings pull them back within days. They're convinced it's a willpower problem and carry deep shame about 'failing.'
We reframe the story: this isn't a character flaw — it's how opioid dependence rewires the brain. With buprenorphine, the cravings and withdrawal recede, and for the first time they have the mental space to engage in therapy. Medication stabilizes the body so the real work — understanding why the substance was needed and building a life without it — can actually happen.
How Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) Works
For opioid use disorder, MAT typically involves medications such as buprenorphine (Suboxone, Subutex), naltrexone (Vivitrol), or methadone — each working differently to reduce cravings, prevent withdrawal, and block the euphoric effects of opioids. Our psychiatric team conducts a comprehensive evaluation to determine which medication is most clinically appropriate.
For alcohol use disorder, medications like naltrexone (oral or extended-release Vivitrol injection), acamprosate, or disulfiram may be prescribed alongside therapy. These medications reduce cravings, decrease the rewarding effects of alcohol, or create aversive reactions to drinking.
MAT is never a standalone treatment at Speranza — medications are always integrated with individual therapy, group counseling, relapse prevention planning, and other evidence-based services. Research shows that combining medication with behavioral therapy is significantly more effective than either treatment alone.
Our psychiatric team manages all MAT prescriptions within our PHP and IOP programs, with regular medication reviews, adjustments, and coordination with the broader treatment team. We also support clients who come to us already stabilized on MAT from an outside provider.
Key Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
Conditions Treated with Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) — Frequently Asked Questions
Related Therapies & Programs at Speranza
Explore related treatment programs and therapies offered at Speranza Behavioral Health.
Treatment Near You in South Jersey
Speranza Behavioral Health is located in Woodbury, NJ and serves communities across all of South Jersey.
Evidence Base & Research for Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
The following organizations provide additional evidence-based information on this topic.
- SAMHSA — Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)↗ samhsa.gov
- ASAM — MAT Clinical Practice Guidelines↗ asam.org
- FDA — Medications for Opioid Use Disorder↗ fda.gov
- NIH — MAT Effectiveness Research↗ ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Speranza Behavioral Health is not affiliated with these organizations. Links are provided for informational purposes only.
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) at Speranza Behavioral Health, Woodbury NJ
Speranza's psychiatric team is experienced in evaluating, prescribing, and managing MAT as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. Our clinical staff work collaboratively to ensure medications complement, not replace, the therapeutic work at the center of recovery. We serve clients from across South Jersey who need MAT-integrated treatment at PHP, IOP, or outpatient levels of care.
Serving Gloucester County, Camden County, Burlington County, Atlantic County & all of South Jersey.