Medication Assisted Treatment in Miami, FL
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) combines FDA-approved medications with counseling and ongoing support to help manage opioid or alcohol use disorders, reduce cravings, and support long-term recovery.
What Is Medication-Assisted Treatment?
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) combines FDA-approved medications with psychiatric care and recovery support to help reduce cravings, withdrawal symptoms, and relapse risk for certain substance use disorders, including opioid and alcohol use disorders. Treatment may include medications such as buprenorphine or naltrexone, along with therapy recommendations, relapse-prevention planning, dual diagnosis care, and coordination with other providers. MAT should always be guided by a qualified medical professional.
Medication Support for Opioid and Alcohol Use Concerns
Medication-assisted treatment, often called MAT, uses FDA-approved medications as part of a broader treatment plan for certain substance use disorders. MAT may be considered for eligible patients with opioid use disorder or alcohol use disorder when clinically appropriate.
Santana Mental Health Services provides psychiatric evaluation, medication management, addiction psychiatry, relapse-prevention support, and coordinated care for patients with substance use concerns in Miami, Florida. Secure online appointments may also be available in Florida and North Carolina when clinically appropriate.
A Medical Approach to Substance Use Treatment
Substance use concerns can affect mood, sleep, anxiety, relationships, work, school, safety, and physical health. They may also overlap with depression, anxiety, ADHD, trauma, bipolar disorder, insomnia, or other psychiatric symptoms.
A comprehensive psychiatric evaluation helps determine whether medication-assisted treatment may be appropriate, whether another level of care is needed, and how substance use and mental health symptoms may be affecting each other.
Treatment Is Individualized
MAT is not right for every patient, and medication is never guaranteed. Recommendations depend on diagnosis, substance use history, medical history, safety, withdrawal risk, current medications, treatment goals, insurance coverage, and overall clinical appropriateness. Your provider may also consider whether outpatient treatment is safe, whether medical detox or a higher level of care is needed, and whether therapy, recovery support, or coordination with other providers should be included. The goal is to create an individualized treatment plan that supports recovery while addressing mental health symptoms, medical needs, relapse risk, and long-term stability.
Common MAT Medication Options
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Buprenorphine is a medication used to treat opioid use disorder. It may help reduce opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms and support treatment engagement.
Some buprenorphine products are combined with naloxone. The specific medication, formulation, and treatment plan must be determined by a qualified medical provider after evaluation.
Buprenorphine is not appropriate for every patient and should only be taken as prescribed.
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Naltrexone is a medication that may be used for alcohol use disorder or opioid use disorder when clinically appropriate. It works differently from buprenorphine and requires careful clinical evaluation before use.
For opioid use disorder, naltrexone may only be appropriate after a patient is no longer physically dependent on opioids. Starting it too soon can cause significant withdrawal symptoms.
Naltrexone may be available in oral or extended-release injectable forms depending on the clinical situation, availability, insurance coverage, and provider recommendation.
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Vivitrol is a brand name for extended-release injectable naltrexone. It may be used for eligible patients with alcohol use disorder or opioid use disorder when clinically appropriate.
It is not a detox medication and is not appropriate for every patient. A medical evaluation is needed to determine whether it is safe and appropriate.
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Suboxone is a brand name for a medication that contains buprenorphine and naloxone. It may be used as part of treatment for opioid use disorder when clinically appropriate.
A provider must evaluate opioid use history, withdrawal risk, medication interactions, medical conditions, safety concerns, and treatment goals before recommending this type of treatment.
Conditions MAT May Help Treat
Opioid Use Disorder
Opioid use disorder can involve difficulty cutting back or stopping opioid use, cravings, withdrawal symptoms, continued use despite harm, or returning to use after attempts to stop.
Medication options may include buprenorphine-based treatment or naltrexone-based treatment when clinically appropriate. The right treatment depends on the patient’s history, current opioid use, withdrawal risk, medical factors, safety, and treatment goals.
Alcohol Use Disorder
Alcohol use disorder can involve difficulty controlling alcohol use, drinking more than intended, cravings, withdrawal symptoms, alcohol-related health or relationship problems, or continued use despite consequences.
Medication options may include naltrexone or other medications when clinically appropriate. The treatment plan may also include therapy, medical monitoring, psychiatric care, and support for co-occurring anxiety, depression, trauma, insomnia, or mood symptoms.
Co-Occurring Mental Health Concerns
Many patients with substance use concerns also experience mental health symptoms such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma symptoms, bipolar disorder, insomnia, panic symptoms, or stress-related difficulties.
When mental health and substance use concerns occur together, treatment should consider both. This is often referred to as dual diagnosis care.
What MAT Is Not
Medication-assisted treatment is not a quick fix, guaranteed prescription, or substitute for therapy and recovery support. It is not appropriate for every patient and should only be started, stopped, or changed under medical supervision.
If there is severe withdrawal, intoxication, medical instability, suicidal thoughts, psychosis, mania, or immediate safety concerns, a higher level of care may be needed.
Evaluation Before MAT
A psychiatric evaluation reviews substance use, withdrawal risk, medical history, current medications, mental health symptoms, safety, treatment goals, and the appropriate level of care.
Your provider may also consider prior treatment, relapse triggers, recovery supports, and whether MAT is clinically appropriate.
MAT and Dual Diagnosis Care
MAT may be part of treatment when substance use concerns occur alongside anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, bipolar disorder, insomnia, or other psychiatric symptoms.
Dual diagnosis care addresses substance use and mental health together.
When Outpatient MAT May Help
Outpatient MAT may be appropriate for patients who are stable enough to attend appointments and do not need emergency care, medical detox, or 24-hour monitoring.
Care may include medication management, relapse-prevention support, side-effect monitoring, coordination with therapy, and treatment for co-occurring mental health concerns.
When a Higher Level of Care May Be Needed
MAT does not replace emergency care or medically supervised detox. A higher level of care may be needed for severe withdrawal, intoxication, medical or psychiatric instability, suicidal or homicidal thoughts, psychosis, mania, repeated relapse, or the need for 24-hour support.
Do not attempt significant withdrawal or detox alone. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
MAT for Teens and Adults
Santana Mental Health Services works with adolescents and adults who may be experiencing substance use concerns, co-occurring psychiatric symptoms, or questions about medication-assisted treatment.
Teens
For teens, substance use concerns may appear alongside mood changes, anxiety, declining grades, irritability, isolation, risky behavior, vaping, cannabis use, alcohol use, sleep problems, family conflict, or changes in motivation.
Parent or guardian involvement is often an important part of care for minors. Treatment planning may include family coordination, therapy recommendations, school considerations, safety planning, and referral to a higher level of care when needed.
Adults
For adults, MAT may be considered when opioid or alcohol use concerns are affecting health, relationships, work, sleep, mood, safety, or daily functioning. Treatment may also address anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, bipolar disorder, insomnia, or other co-occurring concerns.
Related Conditions and Services
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Substance Use Disorders
Evaluation and treatment support for alcohol, cannabis, opioid, stimulant, or other substance use concerns.
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Addiction Psychiatry
Psychiatric care for substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions.
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Depression & Low Mood
Persistent sadness, lack of motivation, poor sleep, or changes in appetite.
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Generalized Anxiety
Excessive worrying, physical tension, restlessness, or racing thoughts.
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ADHD & Focus Issues
Difficulty concentrating, completing tasks, or staying organized at school, work, or home.
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Panic Attacks
Sudden episodes of intense fear, shortness of breath, heart racing, or chest pain.
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Bipolar Disorder
Mood swings ranging from depression to high energy or impulsivity that affect functioning.
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PTSD & Trauma
PTSD and trauma can cause intrusive memories, avoidance, mood changes, hypervigilance, nightmares, and difficulty feeling safe after a distressing experience.
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Sleep Disturbances
Trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up feeling unrested.
Expert mental health care, covered by insurance.
At Santana Mental Health, we work with leading insurance plans to make high-quality care accessible and affordable. Don’t see your plan listed? Reach out—our team will gladly check your benefits and help you get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Medication-assisted treatment uses FDA-approved medications as part of a broader treatment plan for certain substance use disorders, most commonly opioid use disorder or alcohol use disorder. It may also include psychiatric evaluation, medication management, therapy recommendations, relapse-prevention planning, and care coordination.
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Not exactly. MAT is one treatment approach that may be used for certain substance use disorders. Addiction psychiatry is broader and may include psychiatric evaluation, diagnosis, medication management, dual diagnosis care, treatment planning, relapse-prevention support, and coordination with other levels of care.
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Buprenorphine-based treatment, including medications such as Suboxone, may be considered for eligible patients with opioid use disorder when clinically appropriate. A provider must complete an evaluation before determining whether this treatment is appropriate.
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Naltrexone-based treatment, including extended-release injectable naltrexone such as Vivitrol, may be considered for eligible patients with alcohol use disorder or opioid use disorder when clinically appropriate. Evaluation is needed to determine whether it is safe and appropriate.
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Medication may be helpful for some patients with alcohol use disorder when clinically appropriate. Naltrexone and other medication options may be considered depending on the patient’s history, medical factors, goals, and safety.
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Medication treatment can be an important part of opioid use disorder care for some patients. Options may include buprenorphine-based or naltrexone-based treatment when clinically appropriate.
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No. Medication is not guaranteed. Your provider will first complete an evaluation and review your symptoms, substance use history, medical history, safety needs, withdrawal risk, medications, treatment goals, and appropriate level of care.
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No. MAT should be guided by a qualified medical professional. Do not start, stop, change, or combine medications without medical supervision.
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Sometimes outpatient care is appropriate. Other times, detox, IOP, PHP, residential treatment, inpatient care, or emergency evaluation may be needed. Your provider can help determine what level of care may be safest and most appropriate.
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Many patients benefit from therapy, recovery support, or structured treatment in addition to medication. Your provider may recommend therapy or another level of care depending on your needs.
Take the First Step
If you are struggling with opioid or alcohol use concerns, medication-assisted treatment may be one part of a safer, more structured treatment plan when clinically appropriate.
Santana Mental Health Services provides psychiatric evaluation, medication management, addiction psychiatry, relapse-prevention support, and coordinated care in Miami, Florida, with secure online appointments available across Florida and North Carolina when clinically appropriate.