Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
Evidence-based care that combines FDA-approved medications with therapy so you can stabilize, stay in treatment, and rebuild your life.
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South Florida Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Addiction
Opioid use disorder is a chronic medical condition that changes brain chemistry, fuels intense cravings, and disrupts nearly every part of daily life. At Simple Path Recovery, our medication-assisted treatment program in South Florida pairs FDA-approved medications with counseling and behavioral therapy to help clients stabilize, stay in treatment, and reduce the risk of relapse.
MAT(medication-assisted treatment) is not a shortcut, and it is not a replacement for the work of recovery. It is a clinically proven approach used to treat opioid addiction, alcohol use disorder, and other substance use disorders. Our medical team works with each client to address the physical aspects of addiction alongside the psychological cravings that so often drive a return to use.
Whether you are stepping down from detox, restarting treatment after a relapse, or trying medication-assisted care for the first time, our team meets you where you are. You will work with healthcare providers who understand addiction medicine and treat the whole patient, not just the diagnosis.
What to Expect From Our Medication-Assisted Treatment MAT Program
Our MAT program goes beyond the prescription. Every client gets structured therapy, ongoing medical oversight, and a team trained to respond to setbacks before they turn into relapse.
FDA-Approved Medications
Three FDA-approved medications form the foundation of MAT for opioid use disorder. The right choice depends on your history, your goals, and your overall health.
- Reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms
- Block the euphoric effects of opioids
Behavioral Therapy Sessions
Research shows that pairing medication with therapy can be more effective than medication alone. Clients participate in individual and group sessions to address problematic patterns that drive addiction.
- Individual and group counseling
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) support
Ongoing Medical Supervision
Taking medication for opioid dependence requires careful medical management. Our healthcare practitioners track your progress, adjust prescriptions, and watch for side effects.
- Regular medical check-ins
- Coordinated care across your full team
Substance Use Disorders We Treat With Medication-Assisted Treatment
Medication-assisted treatment is most often associated with opioid addiction, but the same evidence-based principles apply across several substance use disorders. At Simple Path Recovery, we use MAT to address opioid use disorder, alcohol use disorder, and the co-occurring dependencies that frequently complicate long-term recovery.
- Opioid Use Disorder (OUD)
- Alcohol Use Disorder
- Synthetic opioid dependence (e.g., fentanyl)
- Prescription opioid dependence
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 to treat alcohol do not produce euphoric effects. Instead, they help brain chemistry rebalance, so the focus can shift to the work of recovery.
We pair medication with behavioral therapy because the physical aspects of addiction are 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 Medications Approved for Opioid Use Disorder
The FDA has approved three medications to treat opioid addiction, and each one works differently. Our addiction medicine team walks you through the options so you and your provider can choose the right fit.
Buprenorphine
Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist. It eases cravings and withdrawal with a lower risk of misuse than full agonists. A 2023 federal change made it easier for healthcare practitioners to prescribe buprenorphine in standard medical settings, which has significantly expanded access.
Suboxone
Suboxone is a combination medication that contains buprenorphine and naloxone, working together to reduce opioid cravings and ease withdrawal symptoms without producing a strong high. It allows patients to stabilize their recovery, regain daily function, and stay focused on the long-term work of treatment.
Naltrexone
Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist. It blocks opioids from producing any euphoric effect, helping interrupt the cycle of illicit opioid use. It is also FDA-approved to help treat alcohol use disorder. Beyond opioid use disorder, naltrexone is also FDA-approved to help treat alcohol use disorder, where it works by reducing cravings.
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, 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
Voices of Healing, Paths to Hope
See for yourself what recovery can look like. Listen to alumni, families, and loved ones share their personal journeys through Simple Path.
Get the Addiction Help You Need Today
Addiction is a disease that affects millions of Americans every day. With overdose 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 opioid overdose 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 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 treatment.
Is medication-assisted treatment just replacing one drug with another?
No. MAT uses FDA-approved medications under medical supervision to manage a chronic condition, similar to how a doctor prescribes medication for diabetes or high blood pressure. The medications used in MAT don’t produce the euphoric effects of misused opioids, and patients can work, drive, parent, and live a normal life while taking them.
How long does medication-assisted treatment last?
There is no fixed timeline. Some clients use MAT for several months, others benefit from longer-term medication management, and a smaller group stays on medication indefinitely, just as someone might stay on medication for a chronic medical condition. Your care team will reassess your plan as your recovery progresses.
Does Medicaid reimbursement cover MAT in Florida?
In most cases, yes. Medicaid reimbursement in Florida covers many MAT services, including counseling and FDA-approved medications such as buprenorphine and naltrexone. Coverage details vary by plan, so our admissions team will verify your specific benefits before you start.
Can MAT help with alcohol use disorder, not just opioids?
Yes. Several FDA-approved medications are used to treat alcohol use disorder. They reduce cravings, ease withdrawal symptoms, and make it easier to stay engaged in treatment, especially when paired with counseling and behavioral therapy.