/ Services / Medication Assisted Treatment for Substance Use Disorder

There is Hope for Recovery

BCHC offers Medication Assisted Treatment Services for Alcohol Dependence, Opioid Dependence, Nicotine Dependence, and Other Substance Use Disorders. To discuss your needs, or to schedule an appointment for MAT Services, please call our direct phone line for MAT at  484-721-6696 for English, or 484-516-5732 for Spanish during the business hours of 8:00 am – 5:30 pm.  After hours, new patients interested in help with addiction services should call 484-513-5950

Berks Community Health Center (BCHC) provides personalized recommendations for Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), which is outpatient treatment for substance use problems.  We offer Suboxone, Sublocade and Vivitrol to treat addiction.  In addition, we offer SMART Recovery groups in English/Spanish for our patients in recovery.

Utilizing harm reduction and holistic models, we provide person-centered services along the road to recovery from substance use disorders.  While abstinence is the long- term goal, we recognize that addiction is a lifelong relapsing condition and each patient’s treatment will be individualized.

MAT patients also establish a relationship with their primary care physician at BCHC and have access to all healthcare services we offer, further supporting their recovery goals. Our bilingual (English-Spanish) medical interpreter staff is on-site and translation services are available in all other languages by phone.  BCHC offers a sliding fee discount program that ensures inability to pay is never a barrier to receiving the care you need.

The PA Department of Human Services designated Berks Community Health Center as a Center of Excellence (COE).  This means that people struggling with an opioid addiction seeking support to improve their quality of life will be assigned to a case manager and/or certified peer recovery specialist.  The goal is to assist with obtaining housing, employment, education or any other area which is identified as an area of need.

For more information about the MAT program, read below:

What are MAT treatments for Substance Use Disorders?

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) for Substance Use Disorders

  • Buprenorphine/Suboxone helps patients with opioid dependence by helping to reduce withdrawal symptoms. Additional information about this type of treatment can be found here.
  • Naltrexone/Vivitrol helps patients with opioid and alcohol dependence by decreasing the cravings for opioids or alcohol consumption. Treatment is non-addictive and the patient must be opioid and alcohol free for a period of time.  Additional information about this type of treatment can be found here.
  • Nicotine Replacement Therapy helps patients with nicotine dependence by reducing withdrawal feelings and cravings. Additional information about this type of treatment can be found here.

What can I expect if I call for help with a substance use problem?

What to Expect

  • Initial assessment completed over phone to determine if BCHC’s MAT services are right for you. If it is determined that you require a higher level of treatment, assistance will be offered in coordinating appropriate service.
  • If it determined that BCHC’s MAT service is right for you, a face-to-face appointment will be scheduled within 24-48 hours, and you will be asked to complete a detailed evaluation which will include:
    • an overview of your specific MAT needs
    • completing  forms to request copies of medical records, behavioral health and/or substance abuse treatment records
    • changing your  primary care doctor to Berks Community Health Center.
  • Also at this first appointment, we will review and discuss your current addiction needs and you will be given your first medical appointment.
  • During your first medical visit you can expect to review and sign treatment contract, have a medical physical exam, urine drug screen, and labs. Depending on MAT services being sought, you may begin treatment at your initial medical appointment.

FAQs

What is addiction?

Addiction is a compulsive need for and use of a habit forming substance (such as opioid, heroin, nicotine, or alcohol) characterized by tolerance and by symptoms upon withdrawal. Substance is known by the user to be harmful however persistent compulsive need to use is uncontrollable.

What is Substance Use Disorder?

Substance use disorder occurs when an individual is repeatedly unable to carry out major obligations at work, school, or home due to the use of the substance. When an individual wants to cut down or quit but is not able to do so, is taking the substance for longer than intended, continues to use despite persistent or recurring social or interpersonal problems caused or made worse by use of substance.  Additional information about substance use disorders can be found at: https://www.samsha.gov.disorders.substance-use

What is Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)?

Medication assisted treatment involves using prescribed medications to treat drug, alcohol and nicotine dependence, thereby  assisting the patient to remain drug, alcohol, and nicotine free.

What does Center of Excellence (COE) do?

COE uses any and all resources, both internal and external, to provide the best addiction treatment services.  Internally, we provide medical services, medication-assisted treatment and behavioral counseling.  We also partner with other organizations to provide more specialized care based on the patient needs. 

Where Can I Get Help?

For more information about BCHC’s MAT Program, or to discuss referring a patient, family member or friend to the program, please call us at 484-721-6696 (English) or 484-516-5732 (Spanish).