Understanding Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) for Opioid and Alcohol Addiction in Ohio

MAT is a whole-person approach that combines FDA-approved medications with counseling and behavioral therapies to treat opioid and alcohol use disorders.

Rather than relying on willpower alone, it directly addresses the neurological changes addiction causes: restoring brain chemistry, blocking euphoric effects, and reducing the physical cravings that drive relapse.

What the research shows:

• MAT reduces overdose deaths
• Lowers criminal activity
• Decreases the transmission of diseases like Hepatitis C and HIV
• Improves patients’ ability to hold jobs and maintain relationships

At Eagle HealthWorks, MAT is integrated into a complete care model that combines medication with counseling, case management, peer support, and primary care follow-up.

Eagle HealthWorks offers a full range of FDA-approved options so providers can match each patient’s unique health profile and recovery goals.

Daily sublingual medications (dissolve under the tongue):

• Suboxone and Zubsolv: buprenorphine/naloxone combinations that reduce cravings and block euphoric effects

Long-acting injectable options (for patients who prefer to skip daily dosing):

• Sublocade: monthly buprenorphine injection
• Brixadi: weekly or monthly buprenorphine injection
• Vivitrol (naltrexone): a monthly injection that treats both opioid and alcohol addiction; ideal for patients who have completed detox

For managing withdrawal symptoms specifically:

• Lucemyra (lofexidine): the first non-opioid FDA-approved medication for opioid withdrawal

The right choice depends on your history, current health, and personal preferences. Your Eagle HealthWorks clinician evaluates all of these with you.

This is the most common concern people have, and it’s worth addressing directly: no, MAT is not trading one addiction for another.

Here’s the key difference:

When someone misuses heroin or prescription opioids, rapid drug surges to the brain trigger intense euphoria, followed by crashes and compulsive use. MAT medications break that cycle entirely.

How each medication works:

• Buprenorphine (Suboxone): a partial opioid agonist that binds to receptors gently enough to eliminate cravings and withdrawal without producing a high
• Naloxone (in Suboxone): actively blocks euphoric effects, adding an additional layer of misuse protection
• Vivitrol (naltrexone): not an opioid at all; a pure blocker with zero abuse potential

A useful analogy: taking blood pressure medication isn’t an “addiction” to antihypertensives. MAT treats a chronic medical condition the same way: stabilizing the body rather than feeding a cycle of intoxication.

The duration of MAT is entirely individual and is never driven by an arbitrary timeline.

Eagle HealthWorks’ mission is to support each patient’s long-term goal of abstinence, but at their own pace. Some patients taper off within months; others benefit from years of treatment. Both paths can lead to lasting recovery.

Why rushing off MAT is dangerous:

Stopping too early, before the brain has stabilized and strong recovery skills are in place, is one of the leading causes of relapse and fatal overdose. Overdose risk spikes significantly in the weeks immediately after stopping MAT without proper tapering.

The decision to reduce or discontinue medication is made collaboratively between the patient and their care team, based on:

• Stability
• Counseling progress
• Personal readiness

Eagle HealthWorks will never pressure a patient off medication before it’s clinically appropriate.

At Eagle HealthWorks, counseling isn’t an optional add-on; it’s the foundation of treatment. Our clinical team describes it this way: counseling is the hub of the wheel, and MAT is one of the vital spokes. Without the hub, the wheel collapses.

Why medication alone isn’t enough:

Addiction is shaped not just by brain chemistry, but by trauma, mental health, behavioral patterns, and environment. MAT manages the physical side: the cravings, withdrawal, and relapse risk. Counseling addresses the psychological roots. Without both working together, the conditions that drove the addiction remain unresolved.

Eagle HealthWorks’ integrated care model includes:

• Individual addiction counseling
• Case management (housing, employment, legal, social services)
• Peer support and community involvement
• Primary care follow-up and routine bloodwork
• On-site Hepatitis C treatment

Yes, MAT is covered by most insurance plans in Ohio.

Ohio Medicaid:

• Covers Suboxone, Zubsolv, and Vivitrol under both fee-for-service and managed care plans
• Suboxone requires prior authorization and enrollment in SUD counseling; Vivitrol does not
• Copays are typically $0–$8 per prescription

Medicare:

• Covers Suboxone under Part D prescription drug plans
• As of 2025, Medicare caps annual out-of-pocket prescription drug spending at $2,000

Private insurance:

• Most commercial and employer-sponsored plans cover Suboxone and Vivitrol
• Monthly copays typically range from $5–$50
• Some plans require prior authorization

Two key federal laws backstop this coverage: the SUPPORT Act requires all state Medicaid programs to cover FDA-approved MAT medications, and the ACA’s Mental Health Parity provisions require most private plans to treat addiction like any other medical condition.

Eagle HealthWorks works with a broad range of insurers and can verify your benefits before your first appointment.

MAT does involve an adjustment period, but side effects are typically mild and short-lived.

Common early side effects:

• Feeling slightly “off” in the first few days as the body adjusts
• Mild, temporary headaches
• Most patients experience near-immediate relief from withdrawal symptoms, which is usually the most noticeable change

How Eagle HealthWorks ensures patient safety:

• Regular drug screenings to monitor appropriate medication use
• Clinical oversight with dosing adjustments based on bloodwork and patient response
• Mandatory counseling integration to flag concerns between medical appointments
• Suboxone’s built-in safeguard—the naloxone component causes withdrawal if injected, strongly deterring misuse

For patients who want to remove the daily medication routine entirely, long-acting injectables, including Sublocade, Brixadi, and Vivitrol, provide steady, diversion-proof treatment.

Yes, Eagle HealthWorks offers telehealth services, making MAT accessible for patients across rural eastern Ohio or anyone facing transportation barriers.

In-person locations:

• Bridgeport
• Cambridge
• New Philadelphia
• Thornville

You don’t need to have completed detox or be in any particular stage of withdrawal to call. The team is experienced in meeting patients exactly where they are.

What the process looks like:

1. Call or contact Eagle HealthWorks — the intake team answers questions about eligibility, insurance, and what to expect
2. Initial medical evaluation — a clinician reviews your health and substance use history and recommends the right medication
3. Counselor assignment — a personalized recovery plan is built alongside your medication management
4. Ongoing care — regular check-ins, lab work, dosage adjustments, and case management throughout your recovery

The only thing needed to begin is a willingness to take the first step. Call Eagle HealthWorks at our toll-free number: (888) 426-9536.