At Recovery Ways, our medication-assisted treatment (MAT) program combines FDA-approved medications with evidence-based therapy to help individuals overcome opioid and alcohol addiction in a safe, medically supervised environment. MAT is one of the most effective, well-researched approaches to addiction treatment available today, and at our Salt Lake City, Utah facilities, it is delivered by a skilled team of licensed medical professionals and clinicians who put your comfort and long-term recovery first.
If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction and is concerned about the withdrawal process, MAT may be an important part of finding a path forward. We will work with you from the moment you arrive to determine whether MAT is right for your situation and build a personalized plan designed to give you the best possible start to recovery.
What is Medication-Assisted Treatment?
Medication-assisted treatment, commonly known as MAT, involves the use of FDA-approved medications alongside counseling and behavioral therapies to treat substance use disorders. MAT is most widely used for opioid use disorder, including addiction to heroin, fentanyl, morphine, and prescription painkillers, though certain medications can also support recovery from alcohol use disorder.
To understand why MAT works, it helps to understand what addiction does to the brain. Substance use floods the brain’s reward pathways with chemicals like dopamine, producing feelings of pleasure or relief. Over time, the brain becomes dependent on the substance to feel normal. Without it, a person starts to experience withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, depression, nausea, body aches, insomnia, and more. For opioids in particular, withdrawal can feel overwhelming and in some cases dangerous without medical supervision.
MAT addresses the physical side directly. FDA-approved medications such as naltrexone and buprenorphine work by reducing cravings, easing withdrawal symptoms, and helping stabilize brain chemistry, giving patients a foundation of physical comfort so that real recovery work can begin. When combined with psychotherapy, counseling, and peer support, MAT supports the whole-person recovery that leads to lasting change.
How MAT Works
Recovery Ways uses FDA-approved medications that have been clinically studied and proven effective for opioid and alcohol use disorder. Your medical team will evaluate your history, the substances involved, and your current health before recommending the right medication and dosage for your situation. Common medications used in MAT include:
- Buprenorphine (Suboxone, Subutex): a partial opioid that reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms without producing the full effects of opioids. It is one of the most commonly prescribed MAT medications for opioid use disorder
- Naltrexone (Vivitrol): a non-addictive medication that blocks opioid receptors, preventing opioids from producing a high. It is also used to reduce alcohol cravings and is available as a monthly injectable
- Acamprosate: used in alcohol use disorder treatment to help reduce withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, restlessness, and insomnia
Many of these therapies are designed to help patients regain their sense of safety, security, connection, trust, collaboration, and emotional regulation. They also equip patients with the foundational tools needed for long-term mental health management, long after their time at Recovery Ways.
Who is MAT Right For?
MAT is not a one-size-fits-all approach, and it is not right for everyone. But for many people, it is the difference between being able to engage in treatment and feeling too overwhelmed to continue. MAT allows us to meet patients where they are rather than demanding they arrive at a stage of readiness they haven’t yet reached.
You may be a good candidate for MAT if you:
- Are actively struggling with opioid use disorder, including addiction to heroin, fentanyl, or prescription painkillers
- Are seeking treatment for alcohol use disorder and want medical support managing withdrawal
- Have experienced severe or dangerous withdrawal symptoms in the past
- Have tried abstinence-based approaches without real success
- Are entering treatment while still in active addiction and need a path to stability
It is important to note that MAT is not simply substituting one drug for another. Under the supervision of trained medical professionals, these medications are used therapeutically to support the brain’s healing process, not to produce intoxication. Research consistently shows that individuals in supervised MAT programs have significantly better recovery outcomes than those who pursue abstinence-only treatment without medical support.
Medication-Assisted Treatment at Recovery Ways
Recovery Ways offers MAT as part of a comprehensive, individualized approach to addiction treatment at our two Utah facilities. From the moment you are admitted, our medical and clinical team works together to assess whether MAT is appropriate for your situation and to design a plan that makes sense for where you are in your recovery journey.
MAT at Recovery Ways may be integrated into multiple levels of care, including:
Medical Detox
The first stage of treatment for many patients, where MAT medications are often introduced to safely manage withdrawal symptoms under 24/7 nursing supervision before transitioning into residential or PHP care.
Residential Treatment
24/7 structured care with around-the-clock medical monitoring, ideal for individuals in early recovery who need intensive support and close oversight as MAT medications are introduced, adjusted, and stabilized during those critical first days and weeks of treatment.
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
A high-intensity daytime program offering continued medical oversight, individual and group therapy, and ongoing MAT management, while allowing patients to return home each evening as they begin reintegrating into daily life.
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
A flexible program for individuals who have stabilized on their MAT plan and are ready to continue building coping skills, strengthening their support systems, and working toward long-term, sustainable recovery.
Throughout your time at Recovery Ways, MAT is never a standalone solution. It is always combined with evidence-based therapies, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), group therapy, family programming, and other clinical services. Our goal is to help your brain and body stabilize so that you can do the deeper therapeutic work that sustains lasting recovery.
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Start Your Journey with Recovery Ways
If you or a loved one is struggling with opioid or alcohol addiction, medication-assisted treatment at Recovery Ways may be the first step toward a more stable, manageable path forward. Our team of medical professionals and licensed clinicians in Salt Lake City, Utah is here to guide you through every stage of the process, from your first call to long-term recovery.
You do not have to white-knuckle your way through withdrawal or feel like recovery is out of reach. MAT exists because science has shown us a better way. Reach out today to learn whether our program is right for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is medication-assisted treatment the same as substituting one drug for another?
No. When used as directed under medical supervision, MAT medications do not produce the intoxicating effects of the drugs they are treating. They work by stabilizing brain chemistry, reducing cravings, and easing withdrawal so patients can engage in therapy and build the skills needed for long-term recovery.
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How long does someone stay on MAT medications?
Duration varies depending on the individual, the substance involved, and how recovery is progressing. Some patients use MAT medications for months; others benefit from longer-term use. At Recovery Ways, our medical team works with each patient to create a tapering plan that fits their needs and minimizes discomfort.
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Can I do MAT if I am also dealing with a mental health condition?
Yes. Recovery Ways specializes in dual-diagnosis treatment, meaning we treat co-occurring substance use and mental health conditions simultaneously. MAT can be safely integrated into a treatment plan that also addresses depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, and other conditions.
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Will my insurance cover medication-assisted treatment at Recovery Ways?
Most major insurance plans, including Medicaid and private insurance, cover MAT to some degree. Recovery Ways is in-network with most health insurances. Use our online insurance verification tool or call our admissions team to confirm your specific benefits.