Evidence-Based Recovery, One Step at a Time
FDA-approved medications for opioid, alcohol, and nicotine use disorders. Comprehensive outpatient treatment offered by our practitioners at CARMAhealth across Texas and Florida.
A Medical Approach to Lasting Recovery
Medication-assisted treatment combines FDA-approved medications with counseling and behavioral therapies to address substance use disorders as a whole-patient condition. Rather than relying on willpower alone, MAT works by stabilizing brain chemistry, reducing cravings, and normalizing body functions. This allows you to focus on the behavioral and emotional aspects of recovery while your brain heals. At CARMAhealth, all of our practitioners, not just our psychiatrists, prescribe and manage the FDA-approved office-based medications for opioid use disorder, along with proven treatments for alcohol and nicotine dependence. Every treatment plan is individualized and may integrate other CARMAhealth services such as psychiatric evaluation, medication management, or telehealth visits. Our outpatient model means you can pursue recovery while maintaining your daily life, work, and family responsibilities.
Backed by Decades of Clinical Research
Research published by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine identifies medication-based treatment as the most effective approach for opioid use disorder, reducing the likelihood of overdose death by up to three-fold. These medications stabilize brain chemistry, reduce cravings, and block the reinforcing effects of substance use, allowing patients to engage fully in counseling and the broader work of recovery. A 2024 study in Drug and Alcohol Dependence Reports found that medication for opioid use disorder is associated with approximately a 50 percent reduction in mortality.
CARMAhealth offers the full range of office-based FDA-approved medications for opioid use disorder, including Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone), Sublocade (injectable buprenorphine), Probuphine (implantable buprenorphine), and Vivitrol (injectable naltrexone). For alcohol use disorder, we prescribe naltrexone and Campral (acamprosate). For nicotine dependence, options include Chantix (varenicline) and nicotine replacement therapies.
A large comparative effectiveness study of over 40,000 adults with opioid use disorder found that treatment with buprenorphine was associated with reduced risk of both overdose and serious opioid-related acute care utilization at 3 and 12 months of follow-up. Through our partnership with Be Well, TX, CARMAhealth offers no-cost medication-assisted treatment for patients with financial barriers, ensuring that access to evidence-based care is never limited by the ability to pay.
How MAT Works at CARMAhealth
Start with a Comprehensive Evaluation
Your practitioner conducts a thorough assessment of your substance use history, mental health, physical health, and recovery goals. This evaluation helps determine which medication and treatment approach will be most effective for your specific situation.
Choose the Right Medication
Based on your evaluation, your practitioner recommends the FDA-approved medication best suited to your needs. You will discuss how the medication works, what to expect during treatment, and how it fits into your broader recovery plan.
Begin Treatment with Ongoing Monitoring
Your care team initiates medication and monitors your response through regular follow-up appointments. Dosage adjustments are made as needed to optimize effectiveness and manage any side effects. Appointments can be conducted in-office or via telehealth.
Build a Sustainable Recovery
As your treatment progresses, your practitioner integrates medication management with counseling and behavioral support. The goal is long-term stability, and your treatment plan evolves with your needs over time.
Most Major Plans Accepted
We accept 15+ insurance plans and offer self-pay options for services not covered by insurance.
Aetna · BCBS · Cigna · United Healthcare · Humana · and 6 more
Frequently Asked Questions About MAT
CARMAhealth offers the full range of office-based FDA-approved medications for substance use disorders. For opioid use disorder, options include buprenorphine (Suboxone), injectable buprenorphine (Sublocade), the buprenorphine implant (Probuphine), and injectable naltrexone (Vivitrol). For alcohol use disorder, we prescribe naltrexone and Campral (acamprosate). For nicotine dependence, options include Chantix (varenicline) and nicotine replacement therapies. Your practitioner will recommend the medication best suited to your medical history and recovery goals.
No. This is one of the most common misconceptions about medication-assisted treatment. MAT medications like buprenorphine and naltrexone are specifically designed to stabilize brain chemistry without producing the euphoria associated with substance misuse. They reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms so you can engage fully in counseling and behavioral therapies. The National Academies of Sciences identifies MAT as the most effective treatment for opioid use disorder, reducing overdose deaths by up to three-fold.
Yes. Most major insurance plans cover medication-assisted treatment, including Aetna, BCBS, Cigna, and United Healthcare. CARMAhealth also partners with Be Well, TX to provide no-cost MAT for patients with financial barriers. Contact us at (512) 212-4670 in Texas or (754) 800-6301 in Florida to verify your coverage and discuss payment options.
Treatment duration varies by individual. Some patients benefit from shorter-term medication support during early recovery, while others may continue MAT for months or years. Research shows that longer retention in treatment is associated with better outcomes. Your practitioner will work with you to develop a timeline based on your progress, stability, and personal goals. There is no single correct duration; the right length of treatment is whatever supports your sustained recovery.
Yes. CARMAhealth offers telehealth appointments for medication-assisted treatment across Texas and Florida. Recent federal policy changes have removed the special waiver requirement for prescribing buprenorphine, making it easier than ever to access MAT through virtual visits. Your initial psychiatric evaluation and ongoing follow-up appointments can be conducted via secure video through our patient portal.
Practitioner-Directed Medication-Assisted Treatment
Every medication-assisted treatment plan at CARMAhealth is designed and supervised by your CARMAhealth practitioner, who understands both the medical and behavioral dimensions of recovery.
Start Feeling Like Yourself Again
Whether you're exploring treatment for the first time or looking for a new practitioner, our psychiatrists are here to listen.
Accepting new patients · 15+ insurance plans accepted · Telehealth available