Integrating MAT Across Levels of Care: From Detox to Outpatient
- Courtney Scott, MD
- Sep 30
- 2 min read
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) has become one of the most effective tools in treating many substance use disorders. While many programs recognize the value of MAT, few implement it seamlessly across the entire continuum of care. At Maverick Medical Group, our role as a contract medical partner is to ensure that facilities can offer safe, consistent, and clinically sound MAT protocols from detox all the way through outpatient programming.
Why MAT Integration Matters
Substance use disorders rarely follow a straight path, and neither should treatment. Patients often move through multiple levels of care, detox, residential, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient and outpatient. Without continuity in MAT, patients risk withdrawal, relapse, or treatment disengagement.
A well integrated MAT program reduces risks by:
Stabilizing patients early in detox to manage withdrawal symptoms safely.
Supporting residential and PHP treatment where psychological work begins in earnest.
Sustaining engagement at IOP and outpatient levels as patients reintegrate into daily life.
MAT in Detox: The Foundation
Detox is often the first introduction patients have to MAT. At this stage, safety and stabilization are the priorities.
Opioid Use Disorders: Buprenorphine/Naloxone (Suboxone) is used to ease acute withdrawal and stabilize.
Alcohol Use Disorders: Benzodiazepine (Librium
) is introduced to alleviate acute withdrawal symptoms.
Safety Protocols: Close medical monitoring, dose adjustments, and patient education are essential to set the stage for longer term success.
This initial experience with MAT builds trust in both the treatment process and the care team.
MAT in Residential and PHP: Building Consistency
Once stabilized, patients often transition into residential or PHP levels of care. Here, MAT plays a different but equally critical role:
Ongoing stabilization helps patients focus on therapeutic work without the distraction of cravings.
Medication management ensures consistent dosing, monitoring for side effects, and adjusting regimens as patients progress.
Education and empowerment are emphasized so patients understand that MAT is part of a comprehensive recovery not a replacement for it.
The key at this stage is consistency: keeping patients engaged in both their medical and therapeutic treatment plans.
MAT in IOP and Outpatient: Sustaining Recovery
As patients step down into IOP or outpatient, the focus shifts from stabilization to sustainability.
Longer acting formulations such as extended release naltrexone (Vivitrol) or buprenorphine injections (Sublocade) can support adherence.
Telemedicine check ins and pharmacy coordination help maintain continuity when patients have fewer in person visits.
Risk monitoring for diversion, relapse triggers, or co-occurring psychiatric issues is essential as daily structure decreases.
This stage highlights why collaboration between medical and clinical teams matters. The right contract medical partner ensures no gaps develop as patients move toward independence.
The Maverick Advantage
As a physician owned medical group specializing in contract services for addiction and mental and behavioral health programs, Maverick Medical Group provides:
End to end MAT oversight from detox through outpatient.
Regulatory compliance aligned with ASAM, JCAHO, CARF, and state licensing requirements.
Customized protocols that adapt to your facility’s population and level of care.
Experienced providers trained to navigate the complexities of MAT across multiple settings.
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