Medication-Assisted Treatment in Georgia
Medication-assisted treatment pairs FDA-approved medication with counseling and behavioral therapy to treat opioid and alcohol use disorders. At Mount Sinai Wellness Center, this happens inside our residential program in Dahlonega, Georgia.
Many Georgia treatment centers send patients elsewhere for medication and only handle therapy in-house. At Mount Sinai, the prescribing physician and the clinical team work from the same treatment plan, in the same building.
What Is Medication-Assisted Treatment?
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration describes medication-assisted treatment as the pairing of FDA-approved medications with counseling and behavioral therapy to treat substance use disorders. Medication by itself does not count as MAT.
MAT and detox are not the same thing. Detox uses medication for a few days to manage withdrawal as a substance clears the body. MAT runs longer. It lowers cravings and, for opioid use disorder, blocks or steadies the effect of opioids so a person can focus on therapy. The two can overlap during a stay, but they serve different purposes.
Medications We Use
For Alcohol Use Disorder
Medications for alcohol use disorder work in different ways. Some cut cravings. Some make drinking unpleasant. Others help repair brain chemistry affected by heavy drinking. Mount Sinai prescribes and administers naltrexone, extended-release naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram.
For Opioid Use Disorder
Medications for opioid use disorder ease cravings and withdrawal. Some can block the effects of opioids if a person uses again. These treatments rank among the most proven tools in addiction medicine. We offer both oral daily dosing and long-acting injectable options, including Vivitrol, Sublocade, and Brixadi.
Overdose Reversal and Education
Naloxone is a fast-acting medication that reverses opioid overdoses within minutes. Mount Sinai provides naloxone directly to clients at discharge, along with hands-on education for participants and their families on recognizing the signs of an overdose, and how to administer the medication.
MAT Within Detox and Residential Care
Medication support at Mount Sinai is incorporated within residential care, which means:
- Your prescribing physician reads the same clinical notes as your therapist.
- The team reviews medication choices as your stay continues, not just at intake.
- Dosing and monitoring happen on-site, with nurses available at all hours.
- Co-occurring mental health conditions are treated together, through dual diagnosis. One team handles psychiatric and addiction medication decisions.
- If medical detox comes first, the same medical director manages medication through withdrawal and into any longer-term MAT that follows.
Is MAT Right for You?
Medication support may benefit you if:
- You have an opioid use disorder, where medication often helps as a first step.
- Cravings have derailed past attempts to quit.
- You relapsed after a stretch of abstinence, especially after a detox-only stay.
- You have an alcohol use disorder and haven’t tried medication alongside therapy.
MAT is not right for everyone. Certain medical conditions, current prescriptions, and liver function all factor in, which is why a physician makes the call after an assessment. Some people are firmly against medication, and that is respected. We lay out all the facts for you and help you make an informed decision.
MAT Myths, Answered
"It Is Just Swapping One Addiction For Another"
This is the most common pushback, and it mixes up physical dependence with addiction. MAT medications are taken at a steady, prescribed dose and do not create the cycle of rising use, lost control, and harm that defines addiction. A person on medication for opioid use disorder is not impaired and can typically work, drive, and take part in therapy.
"You Are Not Really In Recovery If You Are On Medication"
Recovery shows up in how someone is living, not in whether they take a prescription. Medication is a clinical tool that makes therapy possible for people whose cravings would otherwise overpower it. This objection often comes from family or peers rather than clinicians, and it is worth raising with the prescribing physician instead of quietly stopping the medication
"You Will Be On It Forever"
Duration varies by person. Some use medication for a set stretch during and after residential treatment. Others stay on it longer because it works and stopping raises their risk. The person and their physician make that call together, and revisit it over time.
MAT FAQs
Is MAT Replacing One Addiction With Another?
No. MAT medications are FDA-approved, taken at a steady prescribed dose, and monitored by a physician. Physical dependence on a prescribed medication is not addiction, which involves loss of control and continued use despite harm.
Which Medications Do You Use?
The Medical Director selects medication based on the substance involved, medical history, and assessment results. Options at Mount Sinai include naltrexone and acamprosate for alcohol use disorder, long-acting injectables like Vivitrol or Sublocade for opioid use disorder, and naloxone for preventing fatal overdoses.
How Long Will I Be on Medication?
That depends on the medication, the substance, and how you respond. Some people take medication for a few months; others longer. Your physician reviews this with you rather than fixing a timeline at the start.
Does Insurance Cover Medication-Assisted Treatment?
Most major insurance plans cover some level of MAT as part of addiction treatment, though coverage varies by policy. Verify your insurance online or call (800) 353-4673.
Do I Still Need Therapy if I Am Taking Medication?
Yes. Counseling and behavioral therapy are part of what defines MAT, not an add-on. Medication lowers cravings and withdrawal so therapy has room to work.
Is Medication Used During Detox as Well?
Yes, to manage withdrawal safely, which is a different goal than long-term MAT. The same medical director oversees both here, so the handoff between them stays with one prescriber.
Speak with someone about whether medication support is right for your situation. Call us at (800) 353-4673 or verify your insurance online.
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