Medication-Assisted Treatment in Burlington, NJ
Medication-assisted treatment, often shortened to MAT, combines FDA-approved medication with counseling and behavioral therapies to treat opioid use disorder and alcohol use disorder. The medication reduces cravings and eases withdrawal symptoms so the body can stabilize; the counseling addresses the thinking, habits, and circumstances that keep substance use going. Neither half works as well on its own, which is why national treatment guidelines describe the two together as a single plan rather than two separate services.
What Is Medication-Assisted Treatment?
Medication-assisted treatment is an evidence-based approach to treating substance use disorders. It uses medications the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved for that purpose, delivered alongside counseling and recovery support. It is used most often for opioid use disorder and alcohol use disorder. The medication, the dose, the type of therapy, and the length of care all depend on the individual.
How Does Medication-Assisted Treatment Work?
Opioids and alcohol change how the brain’s reward and stress systems function, and those changes do not reverse the moment a person stops using. The medications used in MAT act on those systems directly. Depending on the medication, they can ease withdrawal symptoms, reduce cravings, block the euphoric effects of opioids, or make drinking less rewarding.
That stability is what makes the rest of dual diagnosis treatment in New Jersey at Pathways Behavioral Health possible. Someone who is not fighting cravings hour by hour has the attention to work on triggers, sleep, relationships, and stress in therapy. Medication does not replace that work; it creates the conditions for it.
What FDA-Approved Medications Are Used in MAT?
Three medications are FDA-approved to treat opioid use disorder, and three are FDA-approved to treat alcohol use disorder (AUD). Naltrexone is approved for both. Which one fits depends on the substance involved, medical history, other medications a person takes, pregnancy status, and how severe the dependence is.
Availability also differs by medication, and that is a practical consideration when choosing a program. At Pathways Behavioral Health, our MAT program includes:
- Buprenorphine: Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist. It attaches to the same opioid receptors that other opioids do but activates them only partially, which relieves withdrawal and reduces cravings without producing the intense euphoric effects that full opioids produce. It also blocks other opioids from reaching those receptors, which lowers overdose risk.
- Naltrexone: Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist. It blocks opioid receptors completely, so opioids produce no euphoric effects while it is active, and it also reduces the rewarding effect of alcohol. It is available as a daily tablet or as a monthly extended-release injection sold under the brand name Vivitrol.
- Acamprosate: This AUD medication acts on the glutamate system to ease the anxiety, restlessness, and sleep problems that often follow early abstinence.
- Disulfiram: Used in alcohol addiction treatment, disulfiram blocks the enzyme that breaks down alcohol, causing flushing and nausea if a person drinks.
Methadone can also be used for opioid addiction treatment, but we do not offer this medication at Pathways Behavioral Health.
What Are the Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment?
Decades of research support medication as a first-line treatment for opioid use disorder. Because MAT offers stabilization for those struggling with AUD, opioid addiction, or a co-occurring disorder, those who participate in the program may be more likely to stay engaged in treatment, leading to better outcomes.
Documented benefits include:
- Reduced cravings and milder opioid withdrawal
- Lower risk of opioid overdose
- Better retention in treatment programs
- Lower risk of HIV and hepatitis C linked to injection drug use
- More stability at work, at home, and in relationships
Medication-Assisted Treatment vs. Medication Management
These two services are often confused. Medication management refers to ongoing psychiatric care for a mental health condition: a prescriber evaluates symptoms, selects a medication such as an antidepressant or a mood stabilizer, monitors side effects, and adjusts the dose over time. Medication-assisted treatment refers specifically to FDA-approved medications for opioid or alcohol use disorder, paired with counseling.
The distinction matters less in practice than it sounds, because many people need both. Someone taking buprenorphine for opioid use disorder may also be treated for depression or anxiety through psychiatric services. When one coordinated team manages both, prescribers can see the full medication picture and watch for interactions.
Common Misconceptions About Medication-Assisted Treatment
The most common misconception is that MAT trades one addiction for another. Physical dependence and addiction are not the same thing. Addiction involves compulsive use despite harm, loss of control, and continued use in the face of consequences. A person taking a prescribed, monitored dose of buprenorphine or methadone can be physically dependent on it while showing none of those patterns.
Two other misconceptions come up often. The first is that someone taking medication is not truly in recovery, a belief that keeps people away from the most effective treatment available for opioid use disorder. The second is that medication makes counseling unnecessary. It does not; behavioral therapies remain central to the plan, and therapy services address what medication cannot.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Medication-Assisted Treatment?
MAT may be appropriate for adults diagnosed with opioid use disorder or alcohol use disorder who could benefit from medication as part of a full treatment plan. A clinical evaluation typically considers:
- Substance use history, including which substances and for how long
- Current withdrawal symptoms and cravings
- Physical health and any current medications
- Mental health conditions, including a co-occurring diagnosis
- Previous treatment experiences and what helped
- Personal recovery goals and living situation
People who are actively in withdrawal can often be seen urgently rather than waiting for a routine appointment. Not every medication suits every person, and the evaluation also determines whether outpatient care is the right level of care or whether a higher level is needed first.
What to Expect in a MAT Program
Most programs follow the same sequence:
- Assessment: The assessment establishes the diagnosis and the medical picture.
- Medication selection: Medication selection matches a medication to the person.
- Stabilization: Stabilization is the stretch of dose adjustment that continues until cravings and withdrawal symptoms are under control.
- Ongoing support: Ongoing support is the longest phase and the one that shapes the outcome. It usually includes scheduled medical check-ins, medication monitoring, individual and group therapy, relapse prevention planning, and regular review of the treatment plan.
Medication-assisted treatment is a long-term commitment with no fixed end date; some people taper off after a period of stability, and others continue medication for years because it protects them from overdose.
Paying for Medication-Assisted Treatment
Most health insurance plans cover at least part of medication-assisted treatment. The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 requires that when a plan covers substance use disorder treatment, the copays, coinsurance, and visit limits applied to that care cannot be more restrictive than what the plan applies to medical and surgical care.
Pathways Behavioral Health works with many major insurance carriers. Coverage still varies from plan to plan even within the same carrier, so verifying benefits before starting is worth the time; the answer often determines which medication is realistic and what the out-of-pocket cost will be. Our admissions team can help you understand your coverage and treatment costs.
Medication-Assisted Treatment at Pathways Behavioral Health
Pathways Behavioral Health provides outpatient behavioral health care for adults in Burlington, New Jersey, including:
- Intensive outpatient
- Standard outpatient
- Therapy
- Psychiatric care
- Telehealth
Treatment planning considers the whole person, including mental health, physical health, work and family obligations, and what has and has not worked before. Our team can explain which options are available on site and coordinate a referral when someone needs a service the program does not provide.
Start Medication-Assisted Treatment in Burlington, NJ
Opioid use disorder and alcohol use disorder are treatable medical conditions, and medication combined with therapy is the approach with the strongest evidence behind it. The first step is an assessment, which establishes the diagnosis, determines whether medication is appropriate, and identifies the level of care that fits.
Pathways Behavioral Health is committed to helping adults in New Jersey begin dual diagnosis treatment and build a recovery that lasts. Contact Pathways Behavioral Health to ask about medication-assisted treatment, check coverage, or schedule an assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Medication-Assisted Treatment
There is no set length. Some people take medication for several months, and others continue for years. The decision is made with a prescriber based on how stable a person is, what their risk of returning to use looks like, and what they want for themselves. Stopping medication early is associated with a higher risk of return to use and overdose.
No. Withdrawal management, often called detox, is the short period of medically supervised care that gets someone safely through withdrawal. Medication-assisted treatment is the longer course of care that can follow, and it may continue for months or years. Some people begin MAT during withdrawal management and stay on it afterward.
Yes. Medication and behavioral therapy are meant to be delivered together as one plan rather than as separate services, which is the approach Pathways Behavioral Health follows. Our coordinated care also means the prescriber and the therapist are working from the same information.
Yes. Naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram are FDA-approved for alcohol use disorder, and each works differently. Because alcohol withdrawal can become medically dangerous, anyone who has been drinking heavily should be evaluated by a professional before stopping rather than quitting on their own.
MOUD stands for medications for opioid use disorder and refers only to opioid treatment. MAT is the broader term and includes alcohol use disorder. Some clinicians prefer MOUD because it frames medication as a primary treatment rather than an add-on. Pathways Behavioral Health can explain which applies to a person’s situation and what starting treatment would involve.
Born and raised in New Jersey, Rebecca is a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) with a deep commitment to supporting individuals and families through life’s most challenging seasons. With a strong clinical background in hospital-based case management, she brings valuable experience from a wide range of healthcare and community settings. As a licensed social worker, Rebecca is known for her compassionate, client-centered approach, strong advocacy skills, and calm presence during times of crisis. Whether helping clients navigate complex systems or providing emotional support, her work is grounded in empathy, professionalism, and a genuine passion for improving lives.
