Medication Assisted Treatment

Responding to the opioid epidemic, Keystone leads the way.

About The MAT Program at Keystone

Keystone has earned a reputation for creating programs and offering services that proactively respond to the needs of our community, including traditionally underserved populations.

Alarmed by the fact that the National Safety Council reports an estimated 1.9 million people in the US suffer from opioid use disorders—and York County is not exempt from this troubling epidemic.

Keystone has responded by offering the best evidence-based protocols available. In recent years, Keystone has observed a marked increase in patients needing care recovering from opioid use disorders. Unfortunately, this group of patients has experienced low success rates completing traditional abstinence-based treatment models. This is because ceasing use of opioids is often just too difficult, due to unsuppressed cravings.

A Proven, Better Approach: Medication Assisted Treatment Works

Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) is an effective protocol designed to reduce the cravings and other unpleasant symptoms associated with opioid withdrawal—and to keep patients who are recovering from opioid use safer.

Through the use of Medication Assisted Treatment, Keystone is able to achieve higher program completion rates, reduce incidents of reoccurrence and protect our patients from accidental overdose.

Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) offers FDA approved and studied prescribed medications that suppress cravings and block receptors from euphoric highs. MAT, when combined with clinical therapies, offers the best chance of recovery.

The program includes the use of two types of medication: Buprenorphine and Naltrexone. These medications work in combination to block the euphoric, sedative effects of drugs such as heroin, morphine, and codeine. Buprenorphine is a daily medication taken orally while Vivitrol (injectable Naltrexone) is a monthly injection. Both medications offer patients relief from physical and psychological cravings while they are working on coping skills and learning to manage cravings and other symptoms.

Naloxone: A Lifesaving Overdose Antidote

It is important to know that tolerance for opioids decreases rapidly, so patients who abstain for a short period of time while beginning treatment are at high risk of fatal overdose should they return to previous substance use patterns. Life saving Naloxone is now available in our community to our patients, families and caring friends of persons struggling with opioid use disorder.

When necessary, Keystone’s MAT program will make Naloxone available; the lifesaving overdose antidote, and includes training so that patients and their loved ones can administer the drug in case of an emergency.

The Keystone Difference

Many MAT providers in our region are cash only businesses, which presents barriers to low income patients. Keystone, because of grants from the federal government and private foundations, never requires payment up front and offers robust support and financial assistance so that our patients can get the help they need, when they need it—even if they can’t afford the treatment because they do not have insurance coverage. Participation in comprehensive treatment is required for MAT participants; as it is proven to make MAT most effective. Keystone patients receive recovery coaching from Peer Support Specialists to help navigate the challenges of sustained recovery.

Do you think the MAT program would be beneficial to you?

Call our main office at (803) 324-1800 for a confidential screening. We will help you determine the best course of action and connect you with others in the community who can help you recover.