Medication-Assisted Treatment in Nashville
For many people, the decision to stop drinking or using drugs isn’t the hardest part. Withdrawal is. Managing the cravings that follow is. Medication-assisted treatment in Nashville addresses both of those barriers with medical supervision and a personalized plan that’s built around where you are right now. At Nashville Wellness, MAT isn’t a shortcut or a substitute. It’s a clinical tool, and when used correctly, it significantly changes the odds.
How Widespread Is Addiction in the United States?
Addiction affects millions of Americans across every age group. It does not discriminate based on income level and background. Understanding the scale of the problem helps explain why evidence-based interventions like MAT exist and why access to them matters. The gap between people who need professional help and those who actually receive it remains significant. For many, the barrier isn’t motivation. It’s not having the right medical support in place when they need it most.
Approximately 27.9 million people aged 12 and older currently live with alcohol use disorder (AUD), according to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics. Around 488 people die every day from causes linked to excessive drinking. 22% of adults report binge drinking regularly. Alcohol remains one of the most undertreated substance use disorders. Early intervention and medically supervised withdrawal management are critical factors in reducing those numbers.
Drug addiction data from the NCDAS tells a similar story. In 2024, approximately 73.6 million people reported using illicit drugs in the past year. Of those with active drug use, 38.6% meet criteria for a drug use disorder. 21.6% of that group specifically have an opioid disorder. Drug use is highest among adults aged 18 to 25, with 39% reporting use in the past year. Across all age groups, the data points to a problem that outpaces the current availability of medically supervised intervention.
What Medication-Assisted Treatment Actually Does
Most people who struggle to get sober without help aren’t lacking willpower. They’re dealing with a brain that has physically adapted to a substance, and that’s not something discipline alone can reverse. MAT uses FDA-approved medications to reduce withdrawal symptoms, quiet cravings, and block the reward response that makes relapse so likely in early sobriety. When the physical pressure is reduced, therapy actually has room to work. Without that medical foundation, many people don’t make it through the first week.
Buprenorphine, naltrexone, and methadone are the three medications most commonly used in MAT. They are not interchangeable. Buprenorphine is widely used for opioid dependence because it reduces cravings without delivering a significant high. Its use is ideal for outpatient settings. Naltrexone works differently. It blocks opioid and alcohol receptors entirely. So, it is usually prescribed after detox is complete rather than during it.
Methadone is a different category entirely. It’s typically reserved for patients with severe, long-term opioid dependence. It is dispensed through licensed treatment programs rather than standard outpatient settings. Choosing between them isn’t a simple decision. Before any medications are prescribed, a full assessment of the person’s history and current health is conducted.
Insurance Accepted
How Nashville Wellness Integrates MAT Into the Treatment Process
Medication management doesn’t work in isolation, and Nashville Wellness doesn’t treat it that way. Every patient’s plan runs alongside individual therapy, group sessions, and a structured aftercare component so that progress on the medical side is matched by progress on the behavioral side. Our team tracks how each person responds to medication and adjusts accordingly, because what works in week one doesn’t always work in week four. Medical staff and therapists communicate directly, so nothing gets missed between disciplines.
Before any medication decisions are made, the clinical team conducts a thorough intake assessment covering mental health history, substance use, and prior treatment attempts. That context matters because the wrong protocol, even a well-intentioned one, can set someone back. From the first appointment forward, the plan is built around what the individual actually needs, not a standard checklist.
Addiction Therapy and Services at Nashville Wellness
Medication management is one of the components Nashville Wellness offers. Lasting sobriety requires more than physical stabilization, and our team provides a range of therapeutic services to address the behavioral, emotional, and relational dimensions of addiction. Each service is integrated into an overall plan based on clinical need. The goal is continuity across every phase, not a series of disconnected interventions.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Individual Therapy
- Group Therapy
- Family Counseling
- Intervention Services
- Aftercare
What that looks like in practice depends on the person. Some need intensive one-on-one therapy early on. Others need family involvement or a strong outpatient plan once residential care wraps up. Nashville Wellness coordinates everything so there’s no gap between what happens in treatment and what happens after.
Addictions We Treat at Nashville Wellness
Nashville Wellness treats a range of substance use disorders through medically supervised detox, residential care, and medication-assisted treatment. Each person is thoroughly assessed at intake so the team can match the right level of care to their specific needs. Addiction rarely presents in isolation, and the intake process accounts for the full picture before any protocol is set. Below are the core addiction types our staff is equipped to address.
Alcohol Addiction
Alcohol withdrawal is one of the most medically serious detox processes. Symptoms can progress quickly from anxiety and tremors to seizures and life-threatening complications without proper oversight. Our team supervises every stage of alcohol detox and uses medication where appropriate to reduce withdrawal severity and keep patients stable throughout.
Drug Addiction
Opioid, benzodiazepine, and stimulant dependence each carry distinct withdrawal profiles that require different approaches. Our team is trained across the full spectrum of drug use disorders and uses MAT where it is medically indicated. Alongside structured therapy, we address both the physical dependency and the behavioral patterns that sustain it.
Dual Diagnosis
For a significant number of patients, addiction and mental health conditions are closely connected. Depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other disorders frequently contribute to substance use and can make sobriety harder to maintain if they go unaddressed. Our team screens for co-occurring conditions at intake and treats them as a core part of the overall plan from the start.
Begin Medication-Assisted Treatment in Nashville Today
If withdrawal has stopped you from getting sober before, that is not a personal failure. It is a clinical problem with clinical solutions. Medication-assisted treatment in Nashville through Nashville Wellness is one of those solutions, and it starts with a single conversation. Our admissions team can answer your questions, verify your insurance, and walk you through what to expect before you commit to anything. Same-day admissions are available. Contact us today, and together we will figure out the next step.
FAQs About Our Medication-Assisted Treatment Program
If you are researching MAT for yourself or someone you care about, these answers cover what most people want to know before making a call.
Is medication-assisted treatment just substituting one drug for another?
No. MAT medications are used at controlled doses under medical supervision to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings, not to produce a high. The goal is physical stabilization so patients can engage in therapy and build a sustainable path forward.
How long does MAT last?
Duration depends on the individual. Some people use MAT for a few months during detox and early residential treatment, while others benefit from longer-term medication management. Your team makes that determination based on progress, not a preset timeline.
Will MAT work if I’ve relapsed after trying to quit before?
Relapse history doesn’t disqualify anyone from MAT or determine how it will go. Relapse often signals that previous attempts lacked adequate medical support. MAT directly addresses that gap by stabilizing the physical side of addiction while therapy works on the rest.
Does Nashville Wellness offer MAT for both alcohol and drug addiction?
Yes. MAT is used across several substance use disorders, including alcohol and opioid dependence. The specific medications and protocols differ by substance, which is why a thorough intake assessment is always the first step.
Can I use my insurance to cover MAT at Nashville Wellness?
Nashville Wellness works with most major PPO insurance plans. We do not accept Medicaid, Medicare, or state-funded insurance. Our admissions team can quickly verify your benefits, so you know what your plan covers before committing to anything.
Verify Your Insurance
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