Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
Evidence-based addiction medicine — outpatient, private, and physician-led
MAT Saves Lives — And Stigma Gets in the Way
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is the gold standard for opioid and alcohol use disorder. Large-scale studies consistently show that MAT reduces overdose deaths by 50%, improves treatment retention, and increases rates of sustained remission compared to abstinence-only approaches. Yet most Americans with opioid use disorder never receive it.
Dr. Agresti provides confidential, outpatient MAT with direct physician access — the same concierge model as his psychiatric practice, applied to addiction medicine. No group settings, no administrative gatekeeping, no waiting rooms.
The Evidence for MAT
50%
Reduction in opioid overdose deaths with buprenorphine treatment
3x
Higher treatment retention for MAT vs abstinence-only programs
74%
Reduction in illicit opioid use in buprenorphine-maintained patients
Available MAT Medications
Suboxone
Buprenorphine/Naloxone
Gold-standard MAT for opioid use disorder. Eliminates cravings and withdrawal while blocking the effects of opioids.
Sublocade
Extended-Release Buprenorphine
Monthly injectable buprenorphine. No daily pills, no diversion risk, consistent blood levels for 30 days.
Vivitrol
Extended-Release Naltrexone
Monthly injectable that blocks opioid effects and reduces alcohol cravings. Best for patients who have already completed detox.
Who Benefits From MAT?
From Detox to MAT — A Full Continuum
Dr. Agresti offers the full continuum of outpatient addiction care: medically supervised detox to clear the substance, followed by MAT induction and long-term maintenance to prevent relapse, combined with psychiatric management of co-occurring conditions like depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
MAT Questions Answered
No — this is a common misconception. MAT medications (Suboxone, Vivitrol) are used at stable therapeutic doses under physician supervision to eliminate cravings and withdrawal, enabling patients to function normally and engage in recovery. They are not used to produce euphoria. The data is clear: MAT dramatically reduces overdose deaths, improves treatment retention, and increases long-term sobriety rates compared to abstinence-only approaches.
The duration of MAT varies by individual. Guidelines from SAMHSA and ASAM recommend treating opioid use disorder as a chronic condition — many patients benefit from long-term or indefinite maintenance therapy. The goal is sustained recovery and quality of life, not the fastest route off medication. Decisions about tapering are made collaboratively based on stability, coping skills, and support system.
Yes. Buprenorphine (Suboxone, Sublocade) can be prescribed via telehealth. Dr. Agresti provides MAT services via telehealth throughout Florida. An initial in-person evaluation may be required for injectable medications (Sublocade, Vivitrol).
No. Dr. Agresti can initiate MAT directly — you do not need to complete inpatient rehab or a detox program first. If medically appropriate, outpatient detox followed immediately by MAT initiation is offered as a continuum of care.
Most insurance plans cover MAT medications and psychiatric visits. The Mental Health Parity Act requires insurance plans to cover addiction treatment comparably to other medical conditions. Dr. Agresti is an out-of-network provider; superbills are provided for insurance reimbursement. Many patients with commercial insurance recover a significant portion of costs.