Addiction is not a character flaw or a failure of willpower. It is a complex medical condition with biological, psychological, and social dimensions that require real clinical treatment. For many people, medication is a critical part of that treatment.
At PsychBright Health, we offer Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) as part of a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to recovery from substance use disorders. Our board-certified psychiatrists combine FDA-approved medications with clinical support and personalized care to help patients reduce cravings, manage withdrawal, and build a sustainable path toward long-term recovery.
If you are struggling with addiction, you do not have to face it alone. We provide a safe, supportive, and judgment-free environment where you can explore your options and take the next step forward.
Medication-Assisted Treatment combines FDA-approved medications with counseling, psychotherapy, and other support services to treat substance use disorders. MAT is not a substitute for recovery. It is a clinically proven tool that addresses the neurological and physiological components of addiction, making it significantly easier for patients to engage in treatment, avoid relapse, and rebuild their lives.
Unlike abstinence-only approaches, MAT recognizes that addiction involves changes to brain chemistry that medication can help correct. Decades of research support MAT as one of the most effective treatments available for opioid and alcohol use disorders. According to SAMHSA, MAT has been shown to decrease opioid use, opioid-related overdose deaths, criminal activity, and infectious disease transmission while increasing treatment retention.
MAT is most widely used for opioid use disorder, including addiction to heroin, fentanyl, and prescription pain medications. Medications used include:
MAT for alcohol use disorder helps patients achieve and maintain sobriety or significantly reduce harmful drinking. Medications used include:
For patients looking to stop smoking or using tobacco products, MAT options include:
Research is ongoing for MAT applications in treating stimulant use disorders including cocaine and methamphetamine addiction. Our psychiatrists stay current with evolving evidence and can discuss the full range of available options during your evaluation.
MAT has been extensively studied and consistently shown to produce meaningful outcomes for patients in recovery. Documented benefits include:
Every patient who comes to PsychBright Health for MAT begins with a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation. We review your full medical and psychiatric history, current substance use patterns, previous treatment experiences, and personal goals for recovery before recommending any medications.
From there, we develop an individualized treatment plan that integrates medication with appropriate therapeutic support. MAT at PsychBright Health is never just a prescription. It is a structured, monitored, and evolving plan designed to address the full complexity of your recovery.
Follow-up appointments allow us to assess your response to medication, make adjustments as needed, monitor for side effects, and provide consistent support throughout the process. For patients in Los Angeles, we offer in-person visits. For patients throughout California, HIPAA-compliant telepsychiatry appointments are available.
PsychBright Health brings together board-certified psychiatrists who specialize in addiction psychiatry and dual diagnosis treatment, same-week availability for most patients within 5 business days, and telepsychiatry available to any California resident. We accept Aetna, Blue Shield, UHC, Cigna, Anthem, Medicare, and Medicare Advantage, including Medicare Advantage plans that many addiction treatment providers do not accept. Our MAT program treats the substance use disorder and any co-occurring psychiatric conditions simultaneously, which significantly reduces relapse risk compared to programs that address only the addiction. If you have been turned away from other telehealth platforms or have had difficulty accessing MAT, request an appointment online or call (213) 584-2331. Bilingual care in Spanish is also available.
No. This is one of the most common misconceptions about medication-assisted treatment. Medications like buprenorphine and naltrexone are used at controlled doses under medical supervision to stabilize brain chemistry, reduce cravings, and prevent withdrawal. They are not used to produce a high. The goal is to allow patients to function normally and engage in recovery without the destabilizing effects of active addiction. Major medical organizations including SAMHSA, the American Society of Addiction Medicine, and the American Medical Association all support MAT as evidence-based treatment, not substitution.
The duration of MAT varies by patient and by substance. For opioid use disorder, research supports longer-term maintenance, often one to two years or more, as this is associated with significantly better outcomes and lower relapse rates. For alcohol use disorder, duration varies based on individual progress. There is no single right answer. Your psychiatrist will work with you to determine the appropriate timeline based on your clinical progress, recovery goals, and individual circumstances. You will not be pressured to stop medication before you are ready.
Your first appointment is a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation, typically 45 to 60 minutes. Your psychiatrist will review your substance use history, withdrawal experiences, any co-occurring mental health conditions, prior treatment attempts, current medications, and your goals for recovery. Medication is not automatically prescribed at the first visit. Some patients begin buprenorphine or naltrexone at the first appointment if the clinical picture is clear; others complete additional assessment first. Bring a list of any current medications and any prior treatment records if available. The appointment is a conversation, not an interrogation.
Buprenorphine typically begins reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms within the first day of initiation at the correct dose. Naltrexone works immediately to block opioid and alcohol effects once it is in your system, though finding the right dose may take a short adjustment period. Acamprosate typically takes several weeks to reach full benefit. Your psychiatrist will set clear expectations at your first appointment and monitor your response closely, adjusting as needed.
Yes. PsychBright Health offers MAT evaluation and ongoing management via secure, HIPAA-compliant video appointments for patients throughout California. Buprenorphine can be prescribed via telehealth under current federal guidelines. Naltrexone and other MAT medications can also be managed via telehealth. If you are not in the Los Angeles area, you can still receive full MAT services through our telepsychiatry program.
MAT medication management is iterative. If the first medication is not producing the expected results, dosage can be adjusted, timing changed, or an alternative medication tried. For opioid use disorder, both buprenorphine and naltrexone are available, and switching between them is possible. For alcohol use disorder, naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram each work through different mechanisms and can be tried if the first option is not effective. You will not be left on something that is not working.
Yes. Treating co-occurring psychiatric conditions alongside substance use disorders is central to our approach. Depression, anxiety, PTSD, and ADHD frequently drive substance use, and leaving them untreated dramatically increases relapse risk. Our psychiatrists evaluate and treat both conditions simultaneously, building a single integrated treatment plan. This dual diagnosis approach is one of the most important differentiators in addiction treatment.
Yes. All psychiatric care at PsychBright Health is protected under HIPAA, and addiction treatment records have additional federal protections under 42 CFR Part 2, which restricts disclosure more tightly than standard HIPAA. Your employer cannot access your records without your written consent. Your family members cannot either unless you authorize it. The only circumstances under which information may be shared without consent involve a serious, imminent risk of harm to yourself or others. Your privacy is protected by federal law.
Yes. PsychBright Health accepts Aetna, Blue Shield, UHC, Cigna, Anthem, Medicare, and Medicare Advantage. Call (213) 584-2331 to confirm your specific coverage before your first appointment.
Most patients are seen within 5 business days. Request an appointment online or call (213) 584-2331 and our team will follow up within one business day.
PsychBright Health is located at 1180 S Beverly Dr #700, Los Angeles, CA 90035, serving patients from Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Santa Monica, Culver City, and throughout the greater Los Angeles area. Telepsychiatry appointments are available for patients anywhere in California.
If you or someone you care about is struggling with a substance use disorder, we are here to help. Recovery is possible, and medication-assisted treatment may be an important part of your path forward.
Request an appointment online or call (213) 584-2331. Our team follows up within one business day.
1180 S Beverly Dr #700, Los Angeles, CA 90035 · Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
If you or someone you know is in crisis, contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.
Recovery is possible. Take the first step toward a healthier, substance-free life with evidence-based treatment.
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