Addiction is a complex medical condition, not a lack of willpower. For many individuals, medications can play a critical role in stabilizing brain chemistry and supporting the recovery process. When paired with therapy and compassionate care, MAT can significantly improve a person’s ability to stay engaged in treatment and regain control of their life.
At St. Joseph Health Services, our outpatient MAT programs are designed to provide expert medical supervision while allowing clients to continue meeting their work, school, and family responsibilities. Recovery is possible, and you do not have to navigate it alone.
If anybody out there that can hear my voice right now if you need help with anything that you have a problem with y'all sit down and talk to you like your brother your sister your father your mother it's like they've been knowing you all their life and they've been through everything that you're going through
Joe, US Marine
This place has changed me. The love I’ve felt here was needed, and I’m staying here as long as I can to get the tools I need. I’ve been clean longer than I ever have been here. They teach you how to save yourself. I’m excited about the future for the first time in a long time.
Chris, US Airforce
I’ve been in numerous rehabilitation centers, and St. Joseph Health Services is by far the best place I’ve been. I can’t get treatment like this at home. It is phenomenal how compassionate and caring these people are. There are five-star hotels, but there aren’t enough stars in the sky to put a quality on this place. The staff makes you want to be a better person.
Joe
What Is Medication Assisted Treatment?
The primary goals of MAT are to:
- Ease withdrawal symptoms
- Reduce or eliminate cravings
- Prevent relapse
- Support long-term recovery
Substances like opioids and alcohol alter brain chemistry in ways that make quitting extremely difficult without medical help. MAT works by stabilizing those changes, helping individuals feel physically and emotionally steady enough to engage fully in therapy and recovery work.
Importantly, MAT is not about replacing one drug with another. The medications used are carefully prescribed, monitored, and adjusted by medical professionals to ensure safety and effectiveness. Under professional supervision, MAT provides a safer and more controlled path to recovery than attempting to quit without support.
How MAT Addresses the Brain and Body in Addiction
This is why cravings can feel overwhelming, even when someone genuinely wants to quit.
Medication assisted treatment works by:
- Stabilizing disrupted brain chemistry
- Reducing the intensity of cravings
- Preventing severe withdrawal symptoms
- Allowing the brain time to heal
It is important to understand the difference between physical dependence and addiction. Physical dependence means the body has adapted to a substance. Addiction involves compulsive use despite harmful consequences. MAT helps manage physical dependence safely, giving individuals the stability needed to address the behavioral and psychological components of addiction in therapy.
Recovery is not simply about willpower. It is about restoring balance in both the brain and the body. MAT creates that foundation.
Benefits of MAT in Addiction Treatment
Withdrawal symptoms can be physically and emotionally overwhelming. MAT helps minimize discomfort and reduce persistent cravings, making early recovery more manageable.
Medication alone is not the solution, but when combined with therapy, behavioral interventions, and peer support, MAT strengthens a person’s ability to sustain recovery over time.
Individuals who use MAT are often more likely to remain engaged in treatment. Reduced cravings and improved stability make it easier to attend therapy sessions and follow through with recovery goals.
By easing physical distress and emotional instability, MAT allows individuals to focus on rebuilding relationships, maintaining employment, caring for family, and pursuing personal goals.
At St. Joseph Health Services, we view MAT as one important component of a comprehensive recovery plan, not a standalone solution.
Common Medications Used in MAT
Buprenorphine is commonly used to treat opioid use disorder. It works as a partial opioid agonist, meaning it reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms without producing the intense euphoria associated with opioids. This helps stabilize individuals while lowering the risk of misuse.
Methadone is a long-acting medication that reduces opioid withdrawal symptoms and cravings. When taken as prescribed under medical supervision, it allows individuals to function normally and focus on recovery.
Naltrexone works differently by blocking opioid receptors in the brain. It prevents opioids or alcohol from producing euphoric effects, helping reduce the risk of relapse.
At St. Joseph Health Services, medical professionals carefully assess each client before prescribing medication. Ongoing monitoring ensures the dosage is appropriate, side effects are managed, and progress is consistently evaluated.
Addressing Common Misconceptions About MAT
This is one of the most common concerns. MAT medications are prescribed at controlled doses under medical supervision. They do not produce the same highs associated with substance misuse. Instead, they stabilize brain chemistry and reduce cravings so individuals can focus on recovery.
While some individuals pursue abstinence-only recovery, others benefit from the added stability that medication provides. MAT is not a shortcut. It is a medically supported approach designed to improve safety and long-term outcomes.
Not necessarily. The duration of MAT varies from person to person. Some individuals use medication short-term during early recovery, while others benefit from longer-term maintenance. Decisions are made collaboratively between the client and the medical provider.
The ultimate goal is not dependence on medication. It is sustainable recovery, improved health, and a restored quality of life.
MAT at St. Joseph Health Services
No two recovery journeys are the same. Our team conducts a thorough assessment to determine whether MAT is appropriate and which medication, if any, best fits your needs. Treatment plans are customized and regularly reviewed to ensure continued progress.
Medication is only one part of recovery. Our MAT program integrates counseling, behavioral therapy, and additional recovery services to address the emotional and psychological aspects of addiction. This whole-person approach supports lasting change.
Because our MAT services are offered in an outpatient setting, clients can continue working, attending school, and caring for their families while receiving treatment. Recovery should strengthen your life, not put it on hold.
Safety is our priority. Clients receive professional monitoring, medication management, and consistent support throughout the recovery process.
Signs You May Benefit from MAT
- Severe or uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms
- Persistent cravings that interfere with daily functioning
- Multiple relapse attempts without medical support
- Anxiety about detoxing or stopping substance use
- A desire for structured, medically supervised recovery
Seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. If stopping on your own has felt overwhelming or unsafe, MAT may provide the stability you need to move forward.
Begin Safe, Medically Supervised MAT Today
At St. Joseph Health Services, we provide expert, medically supervised MAT programs to help clients reduce cravings, manage withdrawal safely, and regain stability. Our individualized treatment plans combine medication with therapy and ongoing support to promote long term recovery, overall well-being, and meaningful life change.
If you or a loved one is ready to take the next step, contact St. Joseph Health Services today to begin medication-assisted treatment safely and confidently. Recovery starts with the right support.
