How Medication-Assisted Treatment Works in Memphis, TN
- Alliance Healthcare Services
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
MAT is the gold standard for treating opioid use disorder. Here’s what it is, how it works, and how to access it in Memphis.
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, MAT is the gold standard for treating opioid use disorder (OUD).
Here’s what that looks like in practice.
Why MAT Matters Right Now in Tennessee
Tennessee faces one of the most severe opioid crises in the country.
The numbers tell a stark story:
3,486 Tennesseans died from drug overdoses in 2023. Of those, 2,936 involved opioids.
Tennessee has the highest rate of opioid use disorder among commercially insured patients in the nation, nearly 3x the national average.
In Shelby County, fatal opioid overdoses increased 22.9% from 2022 to 2023.
Yet only about 1 in 5 people with opioid use disorder nationwide receive medication for it.
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 schedule a same-day intake.
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
Lower overdose risk by more than 50%
Research shows MAT doubles or triples treatment retention compared to counseling alone.
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 must be dispensed daily at a certified treatment program. Alliance’s on-site pharmacy at the Crisis Wellness Center supports daily dosing.
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.
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
Twice-weekly counseling to start building your support system
Daily check-ins with your care team
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:
Bi-weekly medical check-ins
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 typically lasts 120 to 180 days, but everyone’s timeline is different. Some people do best with long-term medication support. Others gradually taper when they’re ready. There’s no single right answer.
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.
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
No one is turned away because of inability to pay
Alliance’s Addiction Recovery program offers MAT at the Peabody Avenue Clinic, with connections to the Enhanced Outpatient Program and on-site pharmacy for daily medication dosing.
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 7-day medically supervised program helps your body safely adjust before transitioning into MAT.
Same-day intake appointments are available. Walk-ins are welcome.
Call (901) 369-1410 today to get started.
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?
Typically 120 to 180 days, but there is no one-size-fits-all timeline. 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. Visit our Insurance & Payment Options page for details. No one is turned away because of cost.
What if I need help right now?
Call (901) 369-1410 for a same-day intake appointment, or walk into any of our Memphis clinic locations. If you’re in crisis, call the Alliance Crisis Line at (901) 577-9400 or call/text 988.
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.
Same-day appointments available. Walk-ins welcome. All insurance accepted.
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