Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) in Frederick County, MD
How medication-assisted treatment works, who it helps, what to expect, and how to access MAT in Frederick County, Maryland.
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is one of the most studied and most effective treatments in modern medicine. It is also one of the most misunderstood. The short version: MAT uses approved medications, under medical supervision, to reduce cravings, prevent overdose, and stabilize people with opioid or alcohol use disorder so that recovery becomes possible.
If you are looking into MAT for yourself or a family member in Frederick County, here is a practical overview.
What MAT is, and what it is not
MAT combines FDA-approved medication with clinical support. The medication does the biological work of reducing cravings, blocking intoxication, or preventing withdrawal. The clinical support handles the planning, follow-up, and coordination.
MAT is not a "lighter" form of substance use. It is not a stepping stone to abstinence-only treatment. It is, for opioid use disorder in particular, the standard of care backed by decades of clinical research and recommended by every major medical organization that studies it.
Medications used for MAT
Opioid use disorder
- Buprenorphine (Suboxone, Subutex, Sublocade). A partial opioid agonist. Reduces cravings and withdrawal without the full opioid effect. Available as a daily film or tablet, or as a monthly injection. Can be prescribed by qualified outpatient providers.
- Methadone. A full opioid agonist with very strong evidence for opioid use disorder. Administered through licensed Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs), not in standard outpatient settings.
- Naltrexone (Vivitrol). An opioid antagonist that blocks the effects of opioids. Most commonly given as a monthly injection. Requires a period of opioid abstinence before starting.
Alcohol use disorder
- Naltrexone (oral or injectable). Reduces the reinforcing effects of alcohol, lowering urge to drink and quantity consumed.
- Acamprosate. Helps maintain abstinence by reducing ongoing craving and withdrawal-related symptoms.
- Disulfiram. Causes an unpleasant reaction when alcohol is consumed. Used for select patients motivated by an aversive deterrent.
Who MAT is for
MAT is appropriate for adults with a diagnosed opioid or alcohol use disorder who want help reducing or stopping use. It is particularly important for people who:
- Have relapsed after abstinence-only treatment.
- Have been to multiple detoxes without sustained recovery.
- Are at high risk for overdose, including those just released from incarceration.
- Have co-occurring mental health conditions like depression or anxiety.
- Want a treatment plan that meets them where they are rather than requiring immediate abstinence.
MAT can also be appropriate for patients tapering off long-term prescription opioids who develop dependence.
What outpatient MAT looks like at our practice
Outpatient MAT at Paraview includes:
- Initial evaluation. A 60-minute new-patient visit covering substance use history, prior treatment, medical and psychiatric history, and current goals.
- Medication initiation. Most commonly buprenorphine or naltrexone, started either in office (with a home induction plan) or at the initial visit, depending on the patient and the medication.
- Frequent follow-up early on. Weekly or biweekly visits in the first month, with spacing as you stabilize.
- Coordination with therapy and recovery supports. Counseling is not required but is encouraged. We can help connect you with local options.
- Telehealth and in-person visits. Both are available. Many patients use a mix.
What to expect in the first month
- Cravings should start to decrease within days to weeks.
- Some patients feel close to normal within the first week. Others take longer.
- Side effects, when they happen, are usually mild and resolve.
- Visits are frequent at first. As things stabilize, visits space out.
- Honest reporting helps. If you use, tell your provider. The plan adjusts; it does not get punished.
Frederick County resources
Beyond outpatient MAT, several local resources can help:
- Frederick County Health Department, Behavioral Health Services. Public substance use treatment programs and referrals.
- Mission of Mercy. Free and low-cost medical and behavioral health care.
- Maryland 211. Free, 24/7 referral line for behavioral health and substance use services.
- Local mutual aid. AA, NA, SMART Recovery, and other peer-support groups meet regularly in Frederick County.
- Maryland Crisis Hotline. 988 for mental health emergencies including substance use crises.
If you are not sure where to start
Starting feels harder than it is. A first conversation does not commit you to anything. You can call or message and have a confidential conversation about what your options look like.
Paraview offers outpatient substance use disorder treatment including medication-assisted treatment for Frederick County and Maryland patients. To get started, become a patient online or reach us by phone.
Frequently asked questions
- Is MAT just trading one drug for another?
- No. This framing is common but inaccurate. MAT medications are taken under medical supervision, at controlled doses, with the goal of stabilizing brain chemistry, reducing cravings, and preventing overdose. Decades of evidence show MAT reduces deaths, hospitalizations, and relapse rates compared with abstinence-only approaches.
- How long do people stay on MAT?
- It depends on the person and the medication. Some people use MAT for months. Others continue long-term. There is no fixed end date, and tapering is always a decision made with your provider, never under pressure.
- Do I have to do counseling alongside MAT?
- Counseling and peer support are encouraged and often helpful, but federal rules no longer require counseling as a condition of receiving buprenorphine or naltrexone. The combination usually works better, and we will help you find a counselor if you want one.
- Is MAT covered by Maryland insurance?
- Yes. Maryland Medicaid covers MAT for substance use disorders. Most commercial insurance plans in Maryland also cover MAT, often without prior authorization for first-line medications like buprenorphine.