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Medication-Assisted Treatment
Medication-assisted treatment in Knoxville combines clinically appropriate medication with counseling, behavioral therapy, and recovery support for opioid use disorder or alcohol use disorder. At New Hope Healthcare Institute, each person begins with a confidential assessment to determine whether medication support is appropriate, which services are available through our Knoxville program, and whether any part of care should be coordinated with an outside licensed provider. MAT may be integrated with intensive outpatient treatment, PHP alongside medication support, outpatient therapy, and dual-diagnosis care so the treatment plan addresses cravings, mental health symptoms, relapse risk, and daily life together.
Understanding the Program
Medication-assisted treatment is the use of prescribed medication as one component of substance use disorder care, always alongside counseling and behavioral therapies — not a medication-only protocol.
It is used for opioid use disorder and alcohol use disorder. Medication choice, dose, and whether to use medication at all are clinical decisions, not something a website can assign.
Federal agencies describe several medication classes used in opioid and alcohol care. Which option, if any, is appropriate depends on diagnosis, setting, and a licensed prescriber's assessment.
Medication support is considered after a confidential assessment — not as a one-size-fits-all prescription.
The Full Continuum of Care
Recovery isn't one-size-fits-all. Our clinical team meets you at the level of care you need today — and walks with you through every step that follows.
Not sure which level fits? Call for a free assessment
Why It Works
Medication support is considered alongside therapy so cravings, counseling, and daily routines can be planned together — not as willpower alone.
A licensed prescriber reviews whether a clinically appropriate medication is part of care. Availability depends on diagnosis, assessment, and the scope of New Hope's licensed services.
When clinically appropriate, MAT can be paired with intensive outpatient programming so structured therapy continues while you live at home.
Medication planning and craving support looks at whether a clinically appropriate medication can reduce cravings and withdrawal-related disruption so counseling and daily recovery work are more usable. A licensed prescriber reviews diagnosis, last use, medical history, and monitoring needs before recommending a plan — medication is one part of care, not a standalone substitute for treatment.
Counseling, CBT, and psychosocial support address the thoughts, routines, and relationships that sit alongside substance use — not only the physical symptoms.
When mental health symptoms are part of the picture, the treatment plan can address both substance use and psychiatric needs in the same episode of care.
Plans are built after assessment and can change as withdrawal, counseling progress, and medical needs change. There is no single MAT protocol for every person.
Inside the Program
The mix below is commonly part of medication-assisted care at New Hope. The exact combination is individualized after assessment and is not a guaranteed package.
Is This Program Right for You?
MAT may be considered for adults with opioid use disorder or alcohol use disorder who need medical support for cravings or withdrawal-related disruption while engaging in counseling.
It may also be a next step after detox or a higher level of care elsewhere, when a clinician determines New Hope's Knoxville MAT and outpatient services are an appropriate fit. Teen medication decisions are assessed separately.
Medication options
Medication availability depends on diagnosis, assessment, age, medical history, current medications, insurance or pharmacy requirements, and the scope of New Hope's licensed services.
For opioid use disorder, commonly discussed medications include buprenorphine products, methadone dispensed through a certified opioid treatment program (OTP), and extended-release naltrexone. This educational summary does not mean every option is prescribed or administered in every setting.
The right medication and start date depend on the substance involved, time since last use, withdrawal, previous response to medication, medical history, and a licensed prescriber's assessment.
Commonly discussed classes
For opioid use disorder
Buprenorphine products
Methadone
Dispensed through a certified opioid treatment program (OTP)
Extended-release naltrexone
These options work differently, have different start-up requirements, and are not interchangeable.
Knoxville campus
Admissions phone: 866-806-1027. Admissions available 24/7 for phone support. 24/7 admissions is not the same as 24/7 prescribing.
Call before traveling to confirm that an assessment can be completed on the day you arrive.
First visit
The first appointment is an assessment, not an automatic medication start. A clinician reviews whether medication support is appropriate, which services can be offered through this Knoxville program, and whether any part of care should be coordinated with an outside licensed provider.
Completing the assessment and starting medication are separate steps. Timing depends on last use, withdrawal, required labs or toxicology, medication-specific waiting periods, and a licensed prescriber's determination.
What the assessment reviews
Prepare ahead
Bringing the items below helps the clinical team complete a safer, more complete assessment. Missing paperwork does not automatically prevent a conversation — call ahead if you are unsure what you can gather in time.
East Tennessee
New Hope Healthcare Institute's Knoxville location serves people seeking medication-assisted treatment from Knoxville and nearby East Tennessee communities, including Maryville, Lenoir City, Clinton, Powell, Halls, and Karns. Travel time and schedule fit are part of the assessment conversation.
Alcohol use disorder
Medication treatment for alcohol use disorder may include naltrexone, acamprosate, or disulfiram when clinically appropriate. These medications are not interchangeable, and not every person is a candidate for each option. This section is educational and does not mean all three are prescribed or administered onsite.
Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist that may be used in alcohol use disorder care when a licensed prescriber determines it is appropriate. Oral and extended-release forms exist; start-up requirements differ from agonist medications used in opioid care.
Acamprosate may be considered after alcohol use has stopped, as part of a plan to support abstinence. Kidney function, other medications, and counseling participation are typical clinical considerations.
Disulfiram causes an unpleasant reaction if alcohol is consumed and is used only with informed consent and close clinical guidance. It is not a first-line option for every person.
Opioid timing
People who have used fentanyl, heroin, or prescription opioids should not self-determine when it is safe to start medication. Induction timing depends on last use, withdrawal, the medication being considered, and a licensed prescriber's assessment. Fentanyl potency can change that timing even when a person feels ready.
Assessment comes first.
Emergency readiness
Naloxone can reverse an opioid overdose when given in time. People at risk of opioid overdose, and the people close to them, should know how to access and use naloxone.
Keep naloxone available if opioid use is part of the picture, including fentanyl exposure risk. Ask the clinical team how overdose-prevention planning fits with MAT and counseling.
Suspected overdose? Call 911.
This page is not a substitute for emergency care — call 911 for a suspected overdose.
Cost & insurance
What MAT costs in Knoxville depends on insurance benefits, pharmacy coverage, the specific medication, visit frequency, labs when ordered, and any concurrent counseling or intensive outpatient care. New Hope does not publish a single self-pay price on this page because those figures vary. A confidential benefits review can explain known medical and pharmacy terms before you decide. Verification is not a guarantee of payment, eligibility, or admission.
What shapes the cost
References
The educational information on this page was reviewed against public materials from federal health agencies. These sources do not endorse New Hope Healthcare Institute and are not a substitute for a clinical assessment.
Common Questions
Don't see your question here? Our admissions team is available around the clock — every call is free and confidential.
Call 24/7: 866-806-1027Educational materials describe several FDA-approved medication classes for opioid use disorder, including buprenorphine products, methadone through certified opioid treatment programs, and extended-release naltrexone. Alcohol use disorder care may discuss naltrexone, acamprosate, or disulfiram. Which option, if any, is available through New Hope is determined after assessment — this FAQ does not list a clinic formulary.
MAT does not have one required end date. Length of medication support depends on the substance involved, response to treatment, counseling participation, medical and mental health needs, relapse risk, and ongoing assessment by a licensed prescriber. Some people use medication for a defined period; others continue longer as part of maintenance care. Stopping or tapering should be planned with the clinical team rather than decided alone.
No. When prescribed and monitored, these medications are used to stabilize cravings and withdrawal-related disruption so a person can participate in counseling and daily recovery work. They are not a recreational substitute. Whether to continue, taper, or change medication is a clinical decision.
Coverage for medication-assisted treatment varies by plan. Medical benefits, pharmacy benefits, prior authorization, deductibles, and network rules can all affect cost. Commercial plans and public programs may include substance use benefits, but that does not mean every medication or visit is covered. Request a confidential benefits review. Verification is not a guarantee of payment or admission.
TennCare behavioral health benefits may include substance use treatment, and some plans may cover medication support, but covered services, prior authorization, and pharmacy rules vary. New Hope can review known benefits. This page is not a coverage determination.
Not always. Some medications can be started during or after withdrawal depending on the substance, time since last use, and the specific medication. Others, such as naltrexone, typically require an opioid-free window. A clinical assessment determines whether detox, observation, or MAT initiation is safer. Do not start, stop, or time medication on your own.
People who have used fentanyl, heroin, or prescription opioids may be candidates for medication-assisted treatment after a clinical assessment. Fentanyl potency and lingering effects can change induction timing. A licensed prescriber should determine readiness — do not self-determine when it is safe to start.
Medication decisions for adolescents depend on age, diagnosis, medical history, consent, and a licensed prescriber's assessment. New Hope's documented teen program offers outpatient and intensive outpatient treatment. Families should not assume adult MAT protocols apply to teens.
A confidential assessment can often be scheduled quickly, including same-day when capacity allows. Starting medication is a separate decision from completing that assessment. Initiation depends on last use, withdrawal, required labs or toxicology, medication-specific waiting periods, medical history, and a licensed prescriber's determination. Do not assume medication will begin the same day as the first call or first visit.
When mental health symptoms and substance use occur together, the treatment plan can address both in the same episode of care when clinically appropriate. Integrated care is a planning approach — it does not guarantee a specific outcome.
Confidential & free
A confidential admissions specialist can help you verify insurance, understand treatment options, and take the next step — for yourself or someone you love.
