Medication-assisted treatment. Buprenorphine, naltrexone, methadone.
MAT saves lives. FDA-approved medications — buprenorphine, methadone, naltrexone, acamprosate, disulfiram — reduce craving, block withdrawal, and cut overdose mortality roughly in half. At Pines, MAT is directed by Dr. Sergey Litvinov and delivered alongside psychotherapy.
LegitScriptCertified
Pharmacology that works with psychotherapy.
Medication-Assisted Treatment is the use of FDA-approved medications, combined with counseling and behavioral therapies, to treat substance use disorders. For opioid use disorder specifically, MAT reduces overdose mortality by approximately 50% — a finding replicated across dozens of large cohort studies and systematic reviews.
MAT is endorsed as first-line care by the American Society of Addiction Medicine, SAMHSA, NIDA, and the FDA.
Different mechanisms, one goal.
Buprenorphine
Partial opioid agonist with a ceiling effect — safer in overdose than full agonists. Combined with naloxone (Suboxone) to deter misuse. Prescribed on-site at Pines by Dr. Litvinov. Standard of care for opioid use disorder.
Methadone
Full opioid agonist. Dispensed only through federally licensed Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs), not inside residential. When methadone is the right fit, Pines coordinates transition through a licensed OTP after discharge.
Naltrexone (Vivitrol)
Opioid antagonist. Blocks opioid effects entirely, so a relapse produces no reinforcement. Extended-release monthly injection reduces adherence problems. Fits well with patients who prefer a non-opioid pathway.
Under-utilized, wildly effective.
Naltrexone
Reduces reward reinforcement from alcohol. Oral daily or extended-release monthly injection (Vivitrol). Strong evidence for reducing heavy-drinking days.
Acamprosate
Modulates glutamate and GABA systems to reduce post-acute withdrawal symptoms. Best started after detox. Taken three times daily.
Disulfiram
Produces an acute aversive reaction to alcohol if consumed. Works well for motivated patients with observed dosing. Simpler mechanism — bigger behavioral effect when the pathway holds.
What MAT is not.
“MAT is just trading one drug for another.” False. FDA-approved MAT medications do not produce a high at therapeutic doses. They stabilize neurochemistry the way insulin stabilizes blood sugar.
“If you’re on MAT, you’re not really sober.” False. MAT is recognized as recovery by ASAM, SAMHSA, the FDA, and every major U.S. medical society. Anyone telling someone in MAT recovery that they’re “not really sober” is spreading stigma, not medicine.
“MAT is a short-term thing.” Not necessarily. For many patients with opioid use disorder, MAT is long-term or indefinite — consistent with how we treat other chronic conditions. Duration is clinical, not ideological.
Physician-led, accredited, and built for unhurried care.
The choice of where to receive medication assisted treatment matters. Patients and families weigh credentials, environment, and continuity of care alongside cost and coverage. Here is what consistently brings people to our 18,000 sq ft private clinical campus in Pembroke Pines, Florida.
Medical Director Sergey Litvinov, MD — a board-certified psychiatrist — directs clinical care. Every patient is reviewed by an attending physician, not a counselor signing off on a protocol.
Independent accreditation by the nation’s most recognized healthcare standards body. Surveyed against rigorous safety and quality standards.
LegitScript certification is the standard required by Google, Microsoft, and Meta to advertise addiction treatment. It signals an audited, transparent operator.
Depression, anxiety, trauma, and ADHD frequently co-occur with substance use. Psychiatric assessment and care run in parallel with detox, not after.
Most commercial and military plans are accepted. Verification is free, confidential, and typically completed in under 60 seconds.
Private bedrooms, dedicated medical detox wing, therapy rooms sized for real clinical work, outdoor grounds. Not a strip-mall storefront.
Authoritative references and related resources.
Clinical authorities & sources. ASAM — Clinical Practice Guidelines · SAMHSA — National Helpline · CDC — Overdose Prevention
Related Pines resources. Medical detox · Residential inpatient · Dual diagnosis · Admissions process · Insurance carriers · For families
MAT is covered. Verify in under a minute.
MAT is covered by every major insurance carrier we accept.
Verify CoverageCommon questions.
Is MAT just replacing one drug with another?+
Is MAT required at Pines?+
How long does someone take MAT?+
Can MAT be combined with therapy?+
Is MAT covered by insurance?+
Reviewed by Sergey Litvinov, MD — Medical Director, board-certified psychiatrist. Updated April 2026.
Citations: ASAM · SAMHSA · NIDA · FDA · Sordo et al., BMJ 2017
Frequently Asked Questions
What is medication-assisted treatment (MAT)?
MAT — also called medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) — is the use of FDA-approved medications combined with counseling and behavioral therapy to treat opioid use disorder. The most common medications are buprenorphine (Suboxone), methadone, and naltrexone.
Is MAT just trading one drug for another?
No. Buprenorphine and methadone are partial or full opioid agonists that stabilize brain chemistry and prevent withdrawal without producing the high. Decades of research show MOUD is one of the most effective treatments for opioid use disorder.
How long should I stay on MOUD?
Length of MOUD varies — some patients stay on it for months, others for years, others lifelong. Length is a clinical decision based on your stability, support system, and history. Long-term maintenance is supported by strong evidence.
Will my insurance cover MAT?
Yes, in most cases. MOUD medications and the associated counseling are covered by major commercial plans, Tricare, and VA Community Care. Verification confirms specifics.
Can I get MAT during detox at Pines?
Yes. MOUD is integrated into our medical detox protocols for patients with opioid use disorder. Buprenorphine is most commonly used during detox; longer-term medication choice is individualized.
How do I start MAT at Pines?
Call (855) 981-8935. MAT can be initiated during detox or residential treatment, depending on your clinical situation.
