Understanding That Recovery Looks Different For Everyone
At NCADD San Fernando Valley, we’ve learned one truth over five decades of service.
No two recovery stories are ever the same. Some people thrive with therapy alone, while others need extra medical support to find their footing.
That’s where MAT treatment, or Medication-Assisted Treatment, can make a real difference.
If you’ve been searching for a MAT clinic or exploring outpatient addiction treatment, you might feel overwhelmed by unfamiliar terms and conflicting advice.
This guide is here to make things clear, practical, and compassionate. Our goal isn’t to convince you of one “right” way.
It’s to show you how MAT works, why it helps many people, and how NCADD’s local, caring approach can support your next step toward health.
What Is MAT And How Does It Work?
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) uses a combination of prescribed medication, counseling, and behavioral therapy to help people manage cravings, withdrawal symptoms, and the emotional challenges of early recovery.
The idea isn’t to replace one drug with another. It’s to stabilize your body so you can focus on rebuilding your life — without the constant pull of cravings or fear of relapse.
At NCADD, MAT is guided by our addiction medicine physician, Dr. Dagmar Liepa, who tailors every plan to your individual needs.
You’ll receive medication only if it’s clinically appropriate and combined with structured therapy to strengthen long-term recovery.
Here’s what makes MAT effective:
- Reduces cravings and withdrawal. It helps calm the body’s physical dependence, allowing your mind to stay focused and clear.
- Supports therapy. When your body feels balanced, counseling becomes more meaningful and sustainable.
- Protects against relapse. Research shows that MAT significantly lowers relapse rates and risk of overdose.
- Restores normal brain chemistry. Over time, it helps your brain’s reward system reset to a healthier baseline.
MAT isn’t about shortcuts. It’s about supporting your stability while you work on deeper healing.
How MAT Fits Into Outpatient Addiction Treatment
Outpatient treatment means you receive professional help while continuing to live your daily life. You can keep your job, care for your family, and remain part of your community — all while building a strong foundation for recovery.
Adding MAT to an outpatient plan gives you balance and flexibility. Instead of being in a residential program 24/7, you attend scheduled sessions at NCADD, meet with your provider, and take medication (if prescribed) under careful supervision.
A typical MAT-supported outpatient plan might include:
- Medical appointments with a physician or nurse for ongoing evaluation
- Individual counseling to explore triggers, emotional patterns, and new coping tools
- Group sessions that create accountability and a sense of community
- Family support to help rebuild relationships and communication
- Education about relapse prevention and healthy lifestyle habits
Each of these elements supports the others. Medication steadies your body; therapy strengthens your mind; and your NCADD team keeps you grounded in both.
Why MAT Matters In Real-World Recovery
After detox, the body’s tolerance drops, but cravings often stay strong. That’s a dangerous combination. Many relapses and overdoses happen in this period, when people return to previous doses without realizing their body can no longer handle it.
MAT helps bridge that gap safely. It keeps withdrawal symptoms manageable, giving you time to focus on therapy, relationships, and rebuilding your confidence.
Clinical studies show MAT can:
- Cut relapse risk by more than half for opioid and alcohol use disorders
- Reduce risk of fatal overdose
- Improve participation and retention in therapy programs
- Lower rates of infectious disease by reducing unsafe behaviors
But numbers only tell part of the story. What matters most is how MAT can make recovery feel possible again and less like a daily battle, and more like a steady climb.
What To Expect At A MAT Clinic Like NCADD
If you’ve never visited a MAT clinic before, here’s what the process looks like at NCADD.
1. Intake And Assessment
Your first visit is a conversation — not a test. Our staff will listen to your history, current challenges, and goals. Together, you’ll decide whether MAT is the right fit.
2. Personalized Treatment Plan
If medication is appropriate, Dr. Liepa will prescribe a carefully chosen option and set up a monitoring schedule. Counseling sessions and group work begin at the same time to create a full circle of support.
3. Continuous Check-Ins
Recovery isn’t static. We’ll meet regularly to adjust doses, explore your progress, and talk through challenges. You’ll always know what’s happening and why.
4. Counseling & Skills Development
Therapy sessions help you build tools for daily stress, relationships, and cravings. Over time, you’ll notice the medication doing its job quietly in the background — while you grow stronger on your own.
5. Transition Or Maintenance
Some clients use MAT for a few months, others for years. You and your provider decide together when and how to taper. The goal is always stability and safety.
Why Choosing A Local MAT Clinic Matters
Recovery doesn’t happen in isolation, it happens right where you live, work, and connect. Choosing a local MAT clinic gives you steady access to care and a support network that understands your community.
Here’s why staying local makes a difference:
- Accessibility: Shorter travel means fewer missed appointments and more consistency.
- Familiarity: Local staff understand community pressures, resources, and family dynamics.
- Continuity: You can move smoothly between services — outpatient, prevention programs, and counseling — all within NCADD’s trusted network.
- Support: When setbacks happen, your team is nearby and ready to help quickly.
At NCADD’s Van Nuys and Santa Clarita clinics, the environment is calm, private, and welcoming. You’ll be greeted by people who know your name and care about your progress, not just your chart.
Inside NCADD’s Approach To MAT
Our philosophy is rooted in respect, safety, and collaboration. MAT is just one of many tools we use to help people find lasting recovery.
At NCADD, you can expect:
- Thoughtful Screening: MAT is only offered when it’s the right fit for your health and goals.
- Clinical Oversight: Every prescription is managed by an addiction medicine specialist.
- Holistic Support: We integrate therapy, medical care, and community connection.
- Stigma-Free Environment: You’ll always be treated with dignity, kindness, and confidentiality.
- Flexible Hours: Evening and Saturday appointments make care accessible to working adults.
Every client’s plan is unique, but the underlying principle never changes. You deserve evidence-based care delivered with compassion.
When MAT Might Be Right For You
MAT can be especially helpful if:
- You’ve tried to quit before but struggled with cravings or relapse.
- You experience withdrawal symptoms that make daily life unmanageable.
- You’ve recently completed detox and want to reduce relapse risk.
- You need medical stability before starting deeper counseling work.
- You want a structured, safe approach guided by a professional team.
Even if you’re unsure, a conversation with NCADD’s clinicians can clarify whether MAT might help. Sometimes, understanding your options is the first relief you feel.
Myths And Misunderstandings About MAT
Because MAT involves medication, it’s often misunderstood. Let’s clear up a few common myths:
“It’s just substituting one drug for another.”
Not true. The medications used in MAT are carefully regulated and designed to stabilize brain chemistry — not produce a high.
“MAT is only for severe addiction.”
False. MAT can support people at various stages of recovery, from early stabilization to long-term maintenance.
“If I use MAT, I’m not really sober.”
This misconception creates unnecessary shame. Real recovery is about health, honesty, and function, not punishment. MAT helps many people stay alive and engaged long enough to reach that point.
“I’ll have to stay on it forever.”
Not necessarily. Some clients taper off as cravings and triggers lessen; others stay on medication longer to protect their progress. There is no single timeline.
The Power Of Combining MAT With Therapy
Medication helps your body recover; therapy helps your mind reconnect. At NCADD, both are considered equally important.
Our counseling programs focus on:
- Understanding triggers and building personalized coping tools
- Managing emotions without substances
- Developing structure in your daily routine
- Reconnecting with family through honest communication
- Learning relapse prevention strategies that truly work
When medication eases physical cravings, your mental and emotional energy can finally go toward growth instead of survival. Over time, the combination leads to genuine confidence and balance.
Family Involvement And Support
Addiction rarely affects just one person. Loved ones often carry confusion, fear, and hope all at once. That’s why NCADD welcomes families into the process, with your permission.
Family counseling sessions teach practical ways to support recovery, set boundaries, and rebuild trust. It’s not about blame; it’s about understanding how everyone can heal together.
Confidentiality And Compassion Above All
We understand how hard it is to reach out for help. That’s why confidentiality is at the heart of everything we do. Your information stays private. Your story stays respected.
From your first phone call to every appointment after, you’ll be treated as a person with courage — not as a label or statistic. Compassion isn’t just a value here; it’s the foundation of our work.
Practical Information: Locations, Hours, And Access
Van Nuys Clinic
6166 Vesper Avenue, Van Nuys, CA 91411
Clinical Hours: Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 9:00 pm, Saturday 9:00 am – 5:30 pm
Santa Clarita Clinic
24460 Lyons Avenue, Santa Clarita, CA 91321
Clinical Hours: Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 9:00 pm
Phone: (818) 997-0414
Email: [email protected]
Your first call is free, confidential, and focused entirely on helping you take the next step safely.
Paying For Treatment
As a nonprofit organization, NCADD is dedicated to keeping care affordable. We accept various payment methods and offer sliding-scale options based on income.
During your intake, our staff will walk you through costs and help you access any available funding support. The goal is to remove barriers, not create them.
The NCADD Difference
People choose NCADD’s MAT clinics because of our blend of compassion and credibility. With over fifty years of service in the San Fernando Valley, we’ve guided thousands of individuals toward sobriety and renewed purpose.
Our success comes from simple, consistent principles:
- Listen first.
- Treat every person with dignity.
- Provide evidence-based care.
- Stay connected through every phase of recovery.
We know taking that first step can feel impossible, but we’ve seen again and again how small beginnings lead to lifelong change
A Final Word Of Encouragement
If you’ve read this far, you’re already moving toward something better. Whether you’ve tried treatment before or this is your first time reaching out, you deserve support that’s kind, knowledgeable, and close to home.
MAT can help you regain control. Outpatient treatment can fit your real life. NCADD can walk beside you through both.
You don’t have to face addiction alone. Healing is possible, and hope is waiting, right here in your community.
Ready To Talk About MAT Treatment?
Call (818) 997-0414 for a confidential, no-pressure conversation, or email [email protected].
You can also visit us at 6166 Vesper Avenue, Van Nuys, CA or 24460 Lyons Avenue, Santa Clarita, CA.
Every call is answered by someone who listens. Every question matters.
When you’re ready, NCADD is ready too.
