How Medication-Assisted Treatment Works in Memphis, TN

MAT is one of the most effective, most misunderstood tools for opioid recovery. Here’s what it is, how it works, and how to start at Alliance in Memphis.

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If someone you love is struggling with opioid use, you’ve probably heard of MAT. But what does it actually involve?

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) combines FDA-approved medications with counseling and behavioral therapy to treat substance use disorders. It’s not a shortcut or a crutch. According to SAMHSA, the CDC, and NIDA, medications are a cornerstone of effective treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD).

Here’s what that looks like in practice.

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Why MAT Matters Right Now in Tennessee

Opioid use disorder is treatable. The hard part is that most people who need medication for it never get it.

Here’s where things stand:

• Shelby County recorded more than 200 suspected opioid overdose deaths in 2025, still far too many, but down significantly from the county’s 2022 peak. (Shelby County Health Department, provisional data, January 2026)

• Nationally, about 9.4 million U.S. adults needed OUD treatment in 2022. (CDC MMWR, June 2024)

• Regional overdose prevention specialists credit expanded and more affordable access to treatment for the local improvement.

Yet only about 1 in 4 received medication for it, even though those medications substantially reduce overdose and overall deaths.

That gap between who needs help and who gets it is exactly why understanding MAT matters.

If you or someone you care about is ready to take that step, call (901) 369-1410 to start the assessment process.

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What MAT Actually Is (and What It Isn’t)

MAT stands for Medication-Assisted Treatment. It uses FDA-approved medications alongside counseling to help people manage opioid use disorder.

Think of it like treating diabetes. You wouldn’t tell someone with diabetes to just “try harder” to control their blood sugar. You’d give them insulin and help them learn to manage their condition.

OUD works the same way. It changes brain chemistry. Medications help restore that balance so a person can focus on recovery, not just fighting cravings every minute of every day.

MAT is not “replacing one drug with another.” The medications used in MAT:

• Don’t produce a high when taken as prescribed

• Reduce cravings so you can think clearly

• Prevent withdrawal symptoms that drive people back to use

• Reduce the risk of overdose and death, which is why major health authorities consider medication central to OUD care

Research consistently shows that people who stay on medication stay in treatment longer and are less likely to return to use than those treated with counseling alone.

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The Three FDA-Approved MAT Medications

There are three medications approved by the FDA for treating opioid use disorder. Each works differently, and your care team will recommend the best fit for your situation.

Buprenorphine (Suboxone, Sublocade, Zubsolv)

Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist. That means it activates opioid receptors in the brain, but only partially, enough to reduce cravings and withdrawal without creating euphoria.

It has a built-in safety feature called a “ceiling effect.” After a certain dose, taking more doesn’t increase the effect. This makes overdose much less likely.

Buprenorphine can be prescribed in a regular doctor’s office. No special clinic required.

Methadone

Methadone is a full opioid agonist that activates receptors slowly and stays in the body longer than heroin or fentanyl. It suppresses withdrawal and cravings without producing the rapid “rush.”

Methadone has the longest track record of any MAT medication and is associated with the highest treatment retention rates. It is dispensed only at federally certified opioid treatment programs (OTPs), which are regulated separately from outpatient clinics. Alliance’s MAT program uses buprenorphine and Vivitrol.

Naltrexone (Vivitrol)

Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist, meaning it blocks opioid receptors entirely. If someone takes an opioid while on naltrexone, they feel no effect.

It’s available as a monthly injection (Vivitrol), which removes the daily decision of whether to take medication. You must be opioid-free for 7 to 10 days before starting naltrexone to avoid withdrawal.

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What to Expect at Alliance: Three Phases of MAT

At Alliance Healthcare Services, our Addiction Recovery program walks you through MAT in three phases.

Phase 1: Getting Started (Induction)

We meet you where you are. Our medical team carefully adjusts your medication in the first weeks while monitoring your comfort and safety.

During this phase, you’ll have:

• Weekly doctor visits to fine-tune your medication

• Counseling twice a month to start building your support system

• A weekly observed urine drug screen as part of monitoring

Phase 2: Finding Your Footing (Stabilization)

Cravings begin to fade. Sleep improves. You start working on the coping skills and deeper issues that fuel substance use.

This phase includes:

• Visit frequency based on your progress

• Ongoing individual and group counseling

• Connections to peer support services, people who’ve walked a similar path

Phase 3: Living Your Life (Maintenance)

You’re stable on medication, engaged in therapy, and working toward goals that once felt impossible. Repairing relationships. Finding meaningful work. Being present for your family.

This phase includes:

• Monthly medical visits

• Ongoing therapy and support

• Life skills coaching

Treatment duration is individualized, based on clinical need and recovery goals. Some people do best with long-term medication support. Others gradually taper when it’s clinically appropriate. There’s no single right answer, and no finish line you’re expected to reach by a certain date.

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MAT Myths vs. Reality

Stigma keeps people from getting treatment that works. Let’s clear up the most common myths.

“MAT just replaces one drug with another.”

MAT medications normalize brain chemistry without producing a high. They restore function. NIDA explains that this is fundamentally different from the cycle of substance use.

“You’re not really in recovery if you take medication.”

Every major health authority disagrees. People on MAT are more likely to maintain employment, housing stability, and family connections. Recovery looks different for everyone, and medication-supported recovery is real recovery.

“MAT should only be short-term.”

Research supports long-term or even indefinite MAT when clinically appropriate. Stopping medication too early significantly increases the risk of return to use and overdose.

“If you’re motivated enough, you can quit without medication.”

OUD causes lasting changes to brain chemistry. Willpower alone doesn’t address the biological component. MAT treats the neurological dimension while counseling addresses behavior, triggers, and coping.

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How to Access MAT in Memphis

You don’t need a referral. You don’t need private insurance. Here’s how to get started.

Alliance Healthcare Services accepts:

• TennCare (Tennessee Medicaid)

• Medicare

• BCBS of Tennessee, Cigna, Wellpoint, United Healthcare, Aetna

• Sliding-scale fees for those without insurance

• The Mental Health Safety Net Program for those who qualify

Alliance’s Addiction Recovery program offers MAT at the Peabody Avenue Clinic, with connections to the Enhanced Outpatient Program and connections to broader addiction recovery services.

If you also need detox before starting MAT, Alliance operates the only Medically Monitored Withdrawal Management (MMWM) program in Shelby County for uninsured adults. This medically supervised program helps your body safely adjust before transitioning into MAT.

Getting started begins with an assessment.

Call (901) 369-1410 today to get started.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What medications does Alliance use for MAT?

Primarily buprenorphine and Vivitrol (naltrexone), chosen based on your specific needs and medical history. Your care team will recommend the best option during your intake assessment.

How long does MAT treatment last?

There is no one-size-fits-all timeline. Treatment length is individualized, based on clinical need and recovery goals. Some people benefit from longer-term medication support, and that’s completely okay.

Does MAT work for alcohol use disorder too?

Yes. MAT is effective for both opioid and alcohol use disorders. Naltrexone in particular is FDA-approved for both.

Can I keep working while in treatment?

Absolutely. Alliance’s MAT program is designed to fit your life, not the other way around.

What if I can’t afford treatment?

Alliance accepts TennCare, most private insurance, and offers sliding-scale fees, plus the Mental Health Safety Net Program for those who qualify. Visit our Insurance & Payment Options page for details.

What if I need help right now?

Call (901) 369-1410 to start the assessment process, or reach out through any of our Memphis clinic locations. If you’re in crisis, call the Alliance Crisis Line at (901) 577-9400 or call/text 988.

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Your story doesn’t end with addiction.

Alliance Healthcare Services has been Memphis’s behavioral health home for over 50 years. As a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC), we treat the whole person, because addiction rarely travels alone. Whether you’re also managing depression, anxiety, trauma, or other challenges, we address it all under one roof.

Take the first step. Call (901) 369-1410 today.

All major insurance and TennCare accepted. Sliding-scale fees available.