Medication-Assisted Treatment in West Ashley, Charleston
Comprehensive MAT for opioid and alcohol use disorders from board-certified providers.
What Is Medication-Assisted Treatment?
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) combines FDA-approved medications with counseling and behavioral therapies to treat substance use disorders. For opioid use disorder, MAT is the gold standard — studies show it reduces opioid overdose deaths by over 50%, decreases illicit drug use, reduces criminal activity, increases treatment retention, and improves social functioning. MAT is not "replacing one drug with another." It is medical treatment for a medical condition, the same way insulin treats diabetes or antihypertensives treat high blood pressure.
At Hope Addiction Medicine in West Ashley, our board-certified providers deliver comprehensive MAT for opioid and alcohol use disorders. We prescribe, monitor, and adjust medications based on each patient's clinical response, and we coordinate with counselors, courts, and community recovery resources to support long-term recovery.
Medications We Prescribe
Buprenorphine/Naloxone (Suboxone) — a daily sublingual film or tablet that reduces cravings and prevents withdrawal symptoms. Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist that occupies opioid receptors enough to prevent cravings and withdrawal without producing the euphoria of full agonists. Naloxone is included to deter misuse. This is the most commonly prescribed MAT medication and allows patients to function normally — working, parenting, and participating in daily life.
Sublocade — a monthly extended-release buprenorphine injection administered in our office. Sublocade eliminates daily dosing compliance concerns and provides steady medication levels throughout the month. It is especially valuable for patients with chaotic lifestyles, history of medication diversion, or those who simply prefer not to take a daily medication.
Naltrexone (Vivitrol) — a monthly injection for both opioid use disorder (after complete detoxification) and alcohol use disorder. Naltrexone blocks opioid receptors and reduces the rewarding effects of alcohol. It is a non-addictive, non-controlled medication.
Acamprosate (Campral) — for alcohol use disorder, this medication helps restore the brain chemical balance disrupted by chronic alcohol use and reduces post-acute withdrawal symptoms.
Our MAT Process
Treatment begins with a comprehensive evaluation: medical history, substance use history, current medications, urine drug screen, and pregnancy test if applicable. Your provider then guides you through induction (starting medication under supervision), stabilization (dose adjustment over one to two weeks), and maintenance (ongoing medication management with regular follow-up visits, urine drug screen monitoring, and compliance reporting if court-ordered). All MAT services require in-person visits at our West Ashley office.
Who Is MAT For?
MAT is appropriate for individuals with opioid use disorder (prescription opioids, heroin, fentanyl), individuals with alcohol use disorder, patients referred by drug court, probation, or pretrial services, patients transitioning from inpatient detox or residential treatment, patients who have tried abstinence-based treatment without sustained success, and self-referred individuals seeking confidential treatment. Patients across the greater Charleston area — including James Island, Johns Island, North Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Goose Creek, and Summerville — choose our West Ashley office for expert, compassionate MAT.