Medication-Assisted Treatment

Medication-Assisted Treatment, or MAT, is the use of approved and proven medications in conjunction with behavioral therapy and recovery support to treat opioid and alcohol use disorders. While MAT is not a specific level of care, it can be part of any level of care. Medications such as disulfiram, acamprosate, and naltrexone are used to treat alcohol use disorders. Methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone are used to treat opioid use disorders.

These medications do not cure alcohol or opioid use disorders. Rather, depending on which medication is prescribed, they can help normalize brain chemistry, block the euphoric effects of alcohol or opioids, and relieve physiological cravings. This allows the individual to participate in behavioral therapy, attend to areas of life need and engage in recovery activities.

A misconception about MAT for opioid use disorders is that people are substituting one drug for another. The fact is that these medications are prescribed at safe and effective doses that relieve withdrawal symptoms and do not impair the individual. Research shows that MAT is effective in the treatment of substance use disorders.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA), this treatment approach has been shown to: improve survival rates for people with substance use disorders, increase retention in treatment, decrease illicit opiate use and other criminal activity, increase the ability to gain and maintain employment, and improve birth outcomes among women who have substance use disorders and are pregnant.


Facts

MAT has proved to be clinically effective and to significantly reduce the need for inpatient detoxification services.

Learn More

Medication-Assisted Treatment Providers

Addiction Medicine – Tower Health Medical Group
101 Wellness Way, Suite 210
Reading, PA 19605
(484) 628-5858
COCA-Approved Services: Medication-Assisted Treatment (Buprenorphine Induction and Maintenance)

Berks Counseling CenterServices provided in Spanish
645 Penn Street, 2nd Floor
Reading, PA 19601
(610) 373-4281, Contact: bcc@berkscc.org
COCA-Approved Services: Outpatient Treatment (Adult & Adolescent); Outpatient Treatment (Adult Dual Diagnosis); Outpatient Treatment for Pregnant Women/Women with Children (child care provided); Transitional Housing for Women with Children; Medication-Assisted Treatment (Buprenorphine/Suboxone)

New Directions Treatment ServicesServices provided in Spanish
832 North Park Road, 1 Park Plaza
Wyomissing, PA 19610
(610) 750-6130
COCA-Approved Services: Outpatient Treatment (Adult); Medication Assisted Treatment (Methadone & Buprenorphine/Suboxone)

 

Updated 11/22/23


Berks MAT Providers as of May 2020Download a list.

In accordance with Federal regulation, pregnant women are afforded preference with regard to access to treatment services funded by the Council on Chemical Abuse.

Please note: This is a list of local treatment providers in Berks County that are contracted with COCA. For more treatment facilities, please visit this website.

Outside of Berks County, PA? Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or visit this website.