Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) is the use of medications in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies to treat substance use disorders. A combination of medication and behavioral therapies is effective in the treatment of substance use disorders and can help some people to sustain recovery. MAT is a whole-person approach that provides effective treatment for opioid and alcohol use disorders and combines FDA-approved medications to treat these disorders, counseling, and behavioral therapy in the comfort and privacy of the Health Services Agency clinics.

Buprenorphine (for opioid use disorder) and Naltrexone (for opioid and alcohol use disorder) suppress cravings and allow people to get back to their lives. Some people stay on medication for short periods of time while others continue to use it as necessary to prevent relapse or manage pain.

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Santa Cruz County Resource Guide
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Why MAT Treatment Works
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Substance Abuse & Mental Health Hotline
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Safe RX Santa Cruz County
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Contact Us
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HOW TO GET STARTED

Make an appointment

Set up an intake appointment with one of our counselors. We will go over program requirements with you at this meeting. You will be asked to submit specimens for drug screening/blood tests.

Attend weekly MAT groups

You will be required to start attending weekly MAT groups. An appointment with a medical provider will be scheduled after you have completed the group and the lab test results are reviewed.

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MAT PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

  • Complete intake and labs.
  • Attend groups and individual meetings determined by tier and treatment team.
  • Patients graduate from each tier by providing negative urine drug screens and adhering to your group and/or scheduled appointments with Integrated Behavioral Health.
  • Relapse: If during treatment there is a relapse, you’ll return to the Tier 2 level of care and more support will be provided.
  • Appointments: It is very important that appointments are not missed. If you must miss, please call to reschedule ahead of time.
  • Drug test: Patients will be drug tested at every visit

PEER SUPPORT SPECIALISTS

An important part of the MAT Program is providing peer mentoring services for patients recovering from opioid addiction. In an effort to combat the stigma associated with Medication Assisted Treatment, the innovative program uses collaboration between treatment providers and patients. Peer Support Specialists provide mentoring services for newer patients struggling with recovery. This treatment is designed to increase retention and produce positive treatment outcomes.

The MAT Team recruits and trains patients who have progressed in their own recovery and want to help others achieve similar positive outcomes. A basic assumption is that patients in long term recovery, with proper training, demonstrate a strong ability to form a positive therapeutic bond with newer patients. The program recognizes and builds upon the initial gains made by the patient by retaining the patient in treatment while providing evidence-based practices such as motivational interviewing.

Tiers Prescription Group/IBH
Tier 1: Induction
(2 weeks)
Weekly Weekly
Tier 2: Early Treatment
(12 weeks)
Weekly Weekly
Tier 3: Stabilization
(12 weeks)
Every other week Every other week
Tier 4: Maintenance
(6 months to 1 year)
Once a Month Once a month
Tier 5: Maintenance Once a Month Once a month
Support Groups & Schedules
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