Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) for Alcohol
Evidence-based care that pairs FDA-approved medications with therapy to help you stop drinking, quiet the cravings, and stay in recovery.
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South Florida Medication-Assisted Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a chronic medical condition that changes brain chemistry, drives compulsive drinking, and makes cutting back on your own incredibly hard. At Simple Path Recovery, our medication-assisted treatment program for alcohol in South Florida pairs FDA-approved medications with counseling and behavioral therapy so clients can stop drinking, stay in treatment, and lower the risk of relapse.
MAT for alcohol is not a cure, and it is not a replacement for the work of recovery. It is a clinically proven approach used to treat alcohol use disorder, an underlying brain disease driven by both genetics and environment. Our medical team works with each client to address the physical pull of alcohol alongside the cravings, sleep problems, and anxiety that so often drive a return to drinking.
No two paths into MAT look the same. Some clients come to us right after detox, some after a relapse pulled them out of an earlier program, and some are trying medication for the first time after years of trying to white-knuckle it. Our clinicians have seen all of it, and you will not be asked to start over from scratch.
What to Expect From Our MAT Program for Alcohol
Our alcohol MAT program goes beyond the prescription. Every client gets structured therapy, ongoing medical oversight, and a team trained to respond to cravings, sleep issues, and early warning signs of relapse before they take hold.
FDA-Approved Medications
Three FDA-approved medications treat alcohol use disorder: naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram. Your prescriber matches the right one to your drinking history, health, and recovery goals.
- Reduce cravings and drinking urges
- Soften the rewarding effects of alcohol
- Support long-term abstinence
Behavioral Therapy Sessions
Research shows that pairing medication with therapy is more effective than medication alone. Clients participate in individual and group sessions that address the thoughts, emotions, and patterns that fuel drinking.
- Individual and group counseling
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and other modalities
- Relapse-prevention planning
Ongoing Medical Supervision
Taking medication for AUD requires careful management. Our healthcare practitioners track your progress, adjust prescriptions, and watch for side effects as you progress through the different stages of treatment.
- Regular medical check-ins
- Coordinated care across your full team
- Liver function and lab monitoring when indicated
Substance Use Disorders We Treat Alongside Alcohol Use Disorder
Alcohol use disorder rarely shows up by itself. At Simple Path Recovery, we use MAT to address AUD and the co-occurring substance use issues that frequently complicate long-term recovery.
- Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), mild, moderate, and severe
- Opioid Use Disorder
- Polysubstance use involving alcohol and stimulants
- Post-acute alcohol withdrawal (PAWS) symptom management
Every treatment plan is built around the patient, not the diagnosis. Some clients respond well to one drug paired with weekly counseling. Others need a combination of medications, therapy, and longer medical management to sustain recovery.
Support Groups We Recommend
Beyond clinical work, clients connect with peer communities for long term recovery, including:
- Alcoholics Anonymous
- Narcotics Anonymous
- SmartRecovery™
- Al-Anon
Medication-Assisted Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder
Alcohol use disorder is one of the most common substance use disorders in the country, and it responds well to medication-assisted treatment. FDA-approved medications can reduce cravings, soften withdrawal symptoms, and make it easier for patients to fully engage in counseling.
Many people struggling with alcohol use disorder have tried to quit alone and faced harsh withdrawals, sleeplessness, and overwhelming psychological cravings. MAT can change that experience. The medications we use treat alcohol use disorder as a brain chemistry imbalance, so the focus can shift to the work of recovery.
We pair medication with behavioral therapy because the physical pull of alcohol is only one part of the picture. Our therapists help clients identify the triggers, relationships, and routines that keep alcohol misuse in place, and replace them with something better.
Three FDA-Approved Medications for Alcohol Use Disorder
The FDA has approved three medications to treat alcohol use disorder, and each one works differently. Our addiction medicine team walks you through the options so you and your provider can choose the right fit.
Naltrexone
Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist that blocks the brain’s reward response to alcohol, reducing both cravings and the urge to keep drinking once a person starts. It is available as a daily oral tablet or a monthly extended-release injection (Vivitrol), and it does not require abstinence before starting.
Acamprosate
Acamprosate (Campral) helps the brain rebalance the glutamate and GABA chemistry that chronic drinking disrupts. It is most effective for clients who have already stopped drinking and want to stay abstinent, easing the restlessness, anxiety, and sleep problems that drive early relapse.
Disulfiram
Disulfiram (Antabuse) creates a strong negative reaction, nausea, flushing, headache, within about 10 minutes of any alcohol entering the body. It works best for highly motivated clients who want a clear deterrent and ongoing accountability during the first months of recovery.
Note: MAT does not replace one addiction with another. It manages a chronic condition the same way medication manages diabetes or high blood pressure.
Insurance, Medicaid Reimbursement, and Access to a Medication-Assisted Treatment Program
We work with most major insurance plans, and many MAT services in Florida are eligible for Medicaid reimbursement, including FDA-approved medications and counseling. Our admissions team will verify your benefits, explain what is covered, and walk you through any out-of-pocket costs before day one.
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Start Getting Help With Simple Path
Calling for help is the hardest part. Once you reach our admissions team, you will speak with someone who can answer your questions about MAT for alcohol, insurance, and what your first week will look like, with no pressure and no judgment.
We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all recovery. Whether you need short-term medication management, a longer MAT program, or a step down from detox, we will help you find the right level of care for where you are right now.
Meet Your Care Team
Our compassionate and highly-trained addiction professionals are dedicated to creating individualized, innovative recovery programs tailored to your unique journey.
Cathy Bilotti M.ED., LMHC
Clinical Director
Matt Wilkof
Iris Vicario
Primary Therapist
Jacquelyn Louis
Primary Therapist
Real Stories, Real Recovery
The people who know our program best are the ones who’ve lived it. Read what alumni, families, and the people who walked alongside them have to say about recovery at Simple Path.
Get the Addiction Help You Need Today
Alcohol use disorder is a disease that affects millions of Americans every day. With alcohol-related deaths still near record highs and access to addiction medicine still limited in many parts of the country, getting into treatment has never mattered more. Medication-assisted treatment has been shown to cut the risk of alcohol-related death in half for people who stay in care.
It is never too late to stop using and start healing. Call our team to find out if MAT for alcohol is right for you, or someone you love. We’ll answer your questions, verify your insurance, and help you take the next step.
It is never too late to stop using and start healing. Call our team to find out if MAT is right for you or someone you love, we’ll answer your questions, verify your insurance, and help you take the next step.
Frequently Asked Questions About Medication-Assisted Treatment
Common questions about reaching out and starting medication-assisted treatment for alcohol use disorder.
Is medication-assisted treatment for alcohol just replacing one drug with another?
No. Naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram are not addictive and do not produce a high. Naltrexone blocks the brain’s reward response to alcohol, acamprosate helps restore the brain chemistry chronic drinking disrupts, and disulfiram creates a deterrent reaction if any alcohol is consumed. None of them give you a buzz, and none of them are taken to feel anything, they are tools that quiet the cravings and let the recovery work happen.
How long does medication-assisted treatment for alcohol last?
There is no fixed timeline. Some clients take MAT medications for a few months to get through the highest relapse-risk period after detox. Others stay on them for a year or more. Decisions about stopping are made together with your prescriber, based on how you are feeling, your support system, and your goals.
Does Medicaid reimbursement cover MAT for alcohol in Florida?
In most cases, yes. Florida Medicaid covers the three FDA-approved medications for alcohol use disorder along with the counseling and medical visits that go with them. Our admissions team will verify your specific coverage and explain any costs before you start.
Can MAT help with alcohol use disorder, not just opioids?
Yes. MAT was originally associated with opioid treatment, but there are three FDA-approved medications specifically for alcohol use disorder: naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram. They work differently from opioid medications and are a standard part of evidence-based alcohol treatment.
Do I need to be fully detoxed before starting MAT for alcohol?
It depends on the medication. Acamprosate works best after a person has already stopped drinking. Naltrexone does not require abstinence and can be started while a person is still reducing their drinking. Disulfiram is started after a period of abstinence, since drinking on it causes a severe reaction. Our medical team will guide you through the sequence safely, and most clients begin MAT after a brief medically supervised detox.
Is alcohol withdrawal dangerous?
It can be. Severe alcohol withdrawal can cause seizures and delirium tremens (DTs), which is a medical emergency. That is why we never recommend quitting cold turkey at home. A medically supervised detox is the safest starting point, and MAT medications for alcohol use disorder are then introduced once withdrawal is stabilized.