Key Takeaways
- MAT is the evidence-based gold standard for opioid use disorder, reducing overdose death risk by over 50 percent.
- Buprenorphine (Suboxone) can be prescribed by qualified physicians in office-based settings throughout the High Desert.
- Methadone is available through licensed opioid treatment programs in the Victor Valley area.
- Naltrexone (Vivitrol) as a monthly injection is an option for highly motivated individuals who have completed detox.
- MAT combined with counseling and recovery support produces the best long-term outcomes.
Understanding Medication-Assisted Treatment
Medication-assisted treatment is the use of FDA-approved medications in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies to treat substance use disorders. For opioid use disorder, three medications are available: buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone. For alcohol use disorder, naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram are FDA-approved options.
MAT is not "replacing one drug with another," a common misconception that deters many individuals from accessing this life-saving treatment. These medications stabilize brain chemistry, reduce cravings, block the euphoric effects of opioids or alcohol, and prevent withdrawal symptoms, creating a foundation of neurological stability upon which meaningful recovery work can be built.
Research conclusively demonstrates that MAT reduces opioid overdose deaths by more than 50 percent, decreases illicit drug use, reduces criminal activity, improves treatment retention, and increases employment. Despite this evidence, MAT remains underutilized in many communities, including parts of the High Desert.
The World Health Organization, the National Institute on Drug Abuse, and the American Medical Association all endorse medication-assisted treatment as the standard of care for opioid use disorder. Withholding MAT from patients who could benefit is inconsistent with evidence-based medicine.
MAT Options for Opioid Use Disorder
Three distinct medication approaches are available for treating opioid use disorder, each with different mechanisms of action, delivery methods, and clinical considerations. The choice between them depends on individual factors including the severity of the opioid use disorder, patient preference, treatment history, and medical considerations.
Buprenorphine (Suboxone)
Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist that activates opioid receptors enough to reduce cravings and prevent withdrawal without producing the full euphoric effects of drugs like heroin or fentanyl. It is typically prescribed as a sublingual film or tablet under brand names including Suboxone, which combines buprenorphine with naloxone to deter misuse.
Any physician with a DEA registration can now prescribe buprenorphine for opioid use disorder following the elimination of the X-waiver requirement in 2023. This policy change has expanded access to buprenorphine in underserved areas like the High Desert, where specialist addiction physicians may be scarce.
Methadone
Methadone is a full opioid agonist administered daily under supervision at licensed opioid treatment programs. It effectively eliminates withdrawal symptoms and cravings while blocking the effects of other opioids. Methadone has the longest track record of any MAT medication, with decades of research supporting its efficacy.
The Victor Valley area has opioid treatment programs that provide methadone maintenance, though availability is more limited than in the valley cities. Daily attendance requirements can be challenging for High Desert residents with transportation limitations, though take-home doses become available as patients demonstrate stability.
Naltrexone (Vivitrol)
Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist that blocks opioid receptors entirely, preventing any effects from opioid use. It is available as a monthly injection under the brand name Vivitrol, eliminating daily compliance concerns. Patients must complete full opioid detox before starting naltrexone to avoid precipitated withdrawal.
Finding MAT Providers in the High Desert
Accessing MAT in the High Desert requires identifying qualified providers, which can be more challenging than in more populated areas. The SAMHSA treatment locator at findtreatment.gov allows residents to search for buprenorphine providers, opioid treatment programs, and naltrexone prescribers by zip code.
Several primary care physicians in the Victorville and Hesperia area have begun prescribing buprenorphine for opioid use disorder, integrating addiction treatment into their general medical practices. Community health centers in the High Desert are also expanding MAT services to meet growing demand.
For individuals who need medically supervised initiation of MAT, particularly those requiring detox before starting naltrexone or those with complex medical needs, facilities like Trust SoCal in Fountain Valley provide comprehensive MAT programs with medical oversight. The facility can stabilize patients on medication before transitioning them back to local providers for ongoing maintenance.
- SAMHSA treatment locator (findtreatment.gov): Search for MAT providers by zip code
- Desert Valley Hospital: Medical services and referrals in Victorville
- Victor Valley Community Health Centers: Expanding MAT access
- Private physicians: Increasing numbers of local doctors prescribing buprenorphine
- Trust SoCal: Comprehensive MAT initiation and stabilization with transition to local providers
Combining MAT with Counseling and Support
Medication alone is not sufficient for sustained recovery. The "treatment" in medication-assisted treatment refers to the combination of pharmacological and psychosocial interventions that together produce the best outcomes. Counseling addresses the behavioral, psychological, and social dimensions of addiction that medication does not directly affect.
Individual therapy helps patients identify triggers, develop coping strategies, process underlying trauma, and build motivation for sustained recovery. Group therapy provides peer support, accountability, and opportunities to practice new interpersonal skills in a safe environment.
Recovery support groups complement professional treatment by providing ongoing community connection. High Desert residents on MAT benefit from attending AA, NA, or SMART Recovery meetings, though it is important to find meetings that are supportive of medication use, as some groups have outdated attitudes toward MAT.
Getting Started with MAT
High Desert residents interested in medication-assisted treatment can begin by contacting their primary care physician, calling the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-4357, or reaching out to a treatment facility that provides MAT services.
Trust SoCal in Fountain Valley offers comprehensive MAT as part of its integrated treatment model. The medical team can initiate buprenorphine or naltrexone during residential treatment, stabilize the dosage, and coordinate with local High Desert providers for ongoing prescribing after discharge.
Call Trust SoCal at (949) 280-8360 for a free assessment and to discuss how medication-assisted treatment can support your recovery. Insurance verification is complimentary and available immediately.
Rachel Handa, Clinical Director
Clinical Director & Therapist
