Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

In the field of addiction treatment, few topics are as misunderstood as Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT). For decades, a harmful stigma has persisted, suggesting that using medication to treat addiction is simply “trading one drug for another.” This myth is not only false, but it also serves as a dangerous barrier that prevents people from accessing one of the most effective, evidence-based, and life-saving interventions available today. At Serenity at Summit, we believe in a science-backed, compassionate approach to recovery, and MAT is a cornerstone of that philosophy.

Our facilities in New Jersey (SUD-focused) and New England (MH-focused) are both equipped to provide a full continuum of care, starting with a safe, medically-monitored detox. For individuals struggling with opioid or alcohol use disorders, MAT is often the critical intervention that makes long-term recovery possible. 

This is not a “crutch”; it is a medical solution for a medical disease. Let’s explore what MAT is, how it works, and why it is a vital part of a comprehensive, modern treatment plan.

What is Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)?

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) is the use of FDA-approved medications, in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies, to provide a “whole-patient” approach to the treatment of substance use disorders. It is not just about the medication. 

The medications are used to normalize brain chemistry, block the euphoric effects of alcohol and opioids, relieve physiological cravings, and normalize body functions. This biological stability is what allows the individual to engage in the deep, necessary therapeutic work of healing the root causes of their addiction.

The primary goals of MAT are to:

• Make the detoxification process safe, comfortable, and medically stable.
• Reduce or eliminate the intense, post-acute cravings that so often lead to relapse.
• Prevent the euphoric effects of substances, making “using” less rewarding.
• Allow the brain’s reward pathways and chemistry to heal and re-sensitize over time.
• Provide the stability needed for a person to fully engage in CBT, DBT, and group therapy.

The Science of MAT: How it Heals the Brain

To understand why MAT is so effective, you must first understand what chronic substance use does to the brain. Drugs like opioids and alcohol hijack the brain’s natural reward system, flooding it with dopamine at levels it was never meant to handle. 

Over time, the brain tries to adapt by shutting down its own dopamine receptors and decreasing its natural dopamine production. When the substance is removed, the brain is left in a state of severe deficit. It can no longer feel pleasure from everyday activities, and it sends out powerful, desperate craving signals—a biological “all-hands-on-deck” alarm to get the substance back.

This is not a failure of willpower. This is a biological crisis. MAT addresses this crisis directly.

MAT for Opioid Use Disorder (Heroin, Fentanyl, Painkillers)

For opioid addiction, medications like Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone) or Vivitrol (naltrexone) are used.

• Buprenorphine (Suboxone): This is a “partial opioid agonist.” It binds to the same opioid receptors in the brain as heroin or fentanyl, but it only activates them partially—just enough to stop the agonizing withdrawal symptoms and eliminate cravings. Critically, it has a “ceiling effect,” meaning that after a certain dose, taking more does not produce a greater high, which drastically reduces its abuse potential. It functions as a stabilizer, allowing a person to feel “normal” so they can focus on their residential treatment.
• Naltrexone (Vivitrol): This is an “opioid antagonist.” It completely blocks the opioid receptors in the brain. If a person uses opioids while on Naltrexone, they will feel nothing. It removes the entire incentive to use, acting as a powerful shield against relapse. It is non-addictive and has no psychoactive effects.

MAT for Alcohol Use Disorder

MAT is also incredibly effective for treating alcohol use disorder, particularly in the dangerous detox phase and for long-term relapse prevention.

• Benzodiazepines (During Detox): A medically supervised alcohol detox is a medical necessity. Abruptly stopping alcohol can lead to fatal seizures or Delirium Tremens. We use long-acting benzodiazepines in a controlled, tapering manner to safely and comfortably wean the central nervous system off its dependence on alcohol, preventing these life-threatening complications.
• Naltrexone (Vivitrol): Just as it works for opioids, Naltrexone can be highly effective for alcohol dependence. It helps reduce the heavy cravings for alcohol and, for some, reduces the pleasurable, rewarding effects of drinking.
• Acamprosate (Campral): This medication works on a different brain pathway, helping to restore the balance of neurotransmitter systems (GABA and glutamate) that are disrupted by chronic drinking. It is very effective at reducing the protracted, long-term withdrawal symptoms like insomnia, anxiety, and restlessness that can lead to relapse weeks or months into sobriety.

The Serenity at Summit Philosophy: MAT as Part of an Integrated Plan

At Serenity at Summit, our Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) program is never a standalone solution. It is one critical component of a comprehensive, integrated, and holistic treatment plan. Our model is built on the understanding that addiction is a biopsychosocial disease. The medication heals the “bio” (biology), which then allows us to heal the “psycho” (psychology) and “social” (social self).

Our program is designed to treat the whole person:

• Dual Diagnosis Care: We know that addiction is often a symptom of underlying mental health issues. Our dual diagnosis model means our expert clinical team is simultaneously treating the depression, anxiety, or PTSD that may have been fueling the addiction in the first place.
• Intensive Therapy: The stability provided by MAT allows our clients to fully engage in intensive individual and group therapy. They can dive into CBT to change negative thought patterns and DBT to build distress tolerance skills, all without the distraction of agonizing cravings.
• Holistic Healing: We integrate holistic therapies, including mindfulness, yoga, and art therapy, to help heal the nervous system and teach clients how to find peace and fulfillment naturally.

Addressing the Stigma: Why MAT is Not a “Crutch”

The stigma against MAT is one of the most significant barriers to recovery. The belief that one must be “fully abstinent” from all substances, including doctor-prescribed medication, comes from a misunderstanding of the disease. Addiction is a chronic brain disease, not a moral failing. You would never tell a person with diabetes to stop taking their insulin and just “try harder.” You would never tell someone with high blood pressure that their medication is a “crutch.”

MAT is a medical intervention that stabilizes a dysfunctional organ—the brain. It allows the individual to stop being a patient in survival mode and start being a student in recovery, learning the skills they need to build a new life. Our specialized programs for professionals, executives, and other individuals recognize that a return to a high-functioning life is the ultimate goal, and MAT is a proven and dignified path to achieve it.

Your Safest First Step in New Jersey and New England

The reality, especially in the Northeast, is that the illicit drug supply is poisoned with fentanyl. Attempting to “detox at home” is a life-or-death gamble. A Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) program in a safe, medically supervised facility is the only guaranteed way to survive withdrawal and begin recovery on a stable foundation.

At Serenity at Summit, your journey begins in our state-of-the-art detox facility, where our medical team ensures your safety and comfort 24/7. We provide a premium, compassionate environment, including private rooms, to give you the dignity and peace you deserve during this critical phase. Your health and your future are too important to risk. Contact our compassionate admissions team today to learn more about our MAT and residential programs. We are here to help you take the first, safest step.