Treatment
Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) and Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD)
What is Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)
Medication Assisted Treatment is the use of medication for substance use disorders combined with counseling and other forms of recovery support to provide a complete, whole-person approach to care. It has been proven to be safe and effective for managing substance use disorders.
What are Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD)?
Medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) treat opioid use disorder (OUD) and help individuals sustain recovery. Medications can help manage OUD (PDF), much like medication is used to treat other chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.
FDA-Approved Medications for Opioid Use Disorder
Currently, there are three FDA-approved medications available to help people with OUD manage their condition: methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone. Each medication is distinct and must follow a specific treatment protocol.
Individuals interested in MOUD should discuss it with their medical providers. The information provided on this page is intended solely for information purposes and should not be interpreted as professional medical advice.
Understand the Options
Methadone
- Effect: reduces opioid cravings and controls withdrawal symptoms
- Dosing: taken daily by mouth
- Initiating treatment: start at a low dose and gradually increase as needed
- Prescription: only administered by federally-registered Opioid Treatment Programs
Buprenorphine
- Effect: reduces cravings and controls withdrawal symptoms
- Dosing: taken daily by mouth or by injection (weekly/monthly) from a healthcare provider
- Initiating treatment: 12-24 hours after last use of opioids
- Prescription: doctor’s office or an Opioid Treatment Program
Naltrexone
- Effect: blocks the effects of opioids on the body
- Dosing: administered monthly by injection from a healthcare provider
- Initiating Treatment:
- 7-10 days after last use of short acting opioids
- 10-14 days after last use of long-acting opioids
- Prescription: doctor’s office or an Opioid Treatment Program
MAT in Action: Stories of Resilience and Recovery
Want to learn more about MAT from people with lived experience?
Unshame California shares powerful stories from people impacted by substance use disorder
Hear from real people like Nikki who have achieved and sustained long-term recovery with the help of MAT.
Latest Research, Resources, and Further Reading
Local MAT Resources
For a list of substance use treatment facilities, visit the SAMHSA Treatment Locator.
For a list of MAT providers in California, visit the Choose Change CA Treatment Locator.
Marin Treatment Center*
- Outpatient Suboxone (buprenorphine) and methadone programs
- Call 415-457-3755 to make an appointment, or walk-ins
are available; no referral needed - Location: 1466 Lincoln Ave. San Rafael, CA 94901-2021
* Marin Treatment Center is the first and only methadone provider in Marin County
Bright Heart Health
- Suboxone (buprenorphine) treatment options
- The first nationwide MAT program via telemedicine
- Accepts many insurance providers including Medicaid and Medicare
- Call 1-800-892-2695 for more information or visit the virtual clinic
- Visit BrightHeartHealth.com
Center Point, Inc.
- All FDA-approved medications for OUD
- Call 415‐456-6655 for more information
- Location: 1601 2nd Street #104 San Rafael
Kaiser Permanente – Addiction Medicine and Recovery Services
- Call 415-491-3000 to make an appointment
- Location: 111 Smith Ranch Rd. San Rafael, CA 94903
Marin City Health and Wellness Center
- Suboxone (buprenorphine) and Vivitrol (naltrexone) treatment options
- Sliding scale payment system
available - Call 415-339-8813 to make an appointment
- Locations in Marin City, San Francisco, and San Rafael
Marin Community Clinics
- Suboxone (buprenorphine) and behavioral health services
- Call 415-448-1500 to make an appointment; a doctor’s referral may be necessary
- Six (6) locations in San Rafael, Novato, Larkspur, and Greenbrae
Marin Health Emergency Department
- Can initiate timely MAT with support from substance use navigators
- Location: 250 Bon Air Rd. Greenbrae CA 94904
Recover Medical Group
- Suboxone (buprenorphine) and Vivitrol (naltrexone) treatment options
- Telehealth only
- Call 858-208-0121 to make an appointment or submit a private form at www.letsrecover.com/referral
Ritter Center
- Call 415-457-8182 to discuss MAT options in Marin County
- Location: 16 Ritter St. San Rafael, CA 94901