TREATMENT PROGRAMS
Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) in Cherry Hill, NJ
MAT integrated into PHP or IOP when clinically appropriate and agreed upon by our team and you.
MAT at Cherry Hill Recovery Center is provided exclusively as part of our PHP or IOP program — never as a standalone service.
Whether MAT is appropriate for your recovery is a decision made together by our clinical and medical team and you — based on your complete clinical picture, personal goals, and medical history.
Medication Assisted Treatment for Addiction in New Jersey
Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) is the use of FDA-approved medications — combined with therapy and clinical support — to treat substance use disorders, most commonly opioid use disorder and alcohol use disorder. At Cherry Hill Recovery Center, MAT is not a standalone prescription service. It is integrated into our Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for patients for whom MAT has been determined to be clinically appropriate — a decision that is always made collaboratively by our clinical team, our medical team, and the patient. MAT is one powerful tool within a comprehensive recovery program — never the entirety of it.
Why MAT Is Most Effective as Part of a Comprehensive Program
The research is clear — MAT is most effective when it is delivered alongside behavioral therapy, group counseling, psychiatric support, and a structured clinical program. Medication alone addresses physical cravings and withdrawal symptoms but does not treat the psychological, emotional, and behavioral dimensions of addiction that drive long-term relapse. This is why Cherry Hill Recovery Center integrates MAT into our PHP and IOP programs rather than offering it as a standalone service — because we believe you deserve comprehensive care, not just a prescription.
How MAT Is Decided at Cherry Hill Recovery Center
Whether MAT is part of your treatment plan is never assumed or automatically applied. It begins with a thorough psychiatric evaluation and medical evaluation conducted by our medical team, covering your substance use history, physical health, mental health, previous treatment experiences, personal values and goals, and your own perspective on medication as part of your recovery. Our medical team then makes a clinical recommendation — which is discussed openly and transparently with you. MAT is initiated only when the clinical evidence supports it, the medical assessment confirms it, and you as the patient agree it is the right course of action for your recovery.
MAT Is a Clinical Decision — Not an Automatic One
Not every patient who enters our PHP or IOP program will be on MAT — and that is entirely appropriate. Some patients recover very effectively through therapy and clinical support alone. Others find that MAT provides the biological stabilization that allows them to fully engage in the therapeutic work of recovery. Both paths are valid. Our role is to evaluate your individual situation honestly and recommend the approach most likely to support your long-term recovery — not to apply a one-size-fits-all protocol.
What Is Medication Assisted Treatment?
MAT uses FDA-approved medications combined with therapy and clinical support to treat addiction — targeting both the biological and behavioral dimensions of the disease.
The Science Behind MAT
Opioid use disorder and alcohol use disorder cause measurable changes in brain chemistry — particularly in the reward and craving systems. MAT medications work by targeting these same brain receptors, reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms, and allowing the brain to begin healing. This biological stabilization is what allows patients to fully engage in the therapeutic and behavioral work of recovery.
Evidence-Based & FDA-Approved
MAT is endorsed by SAMHSA, the National Institutes of Health, and the American Society of Addiction Medicine as the gold standard treatment for opioid use disorder. The medications used — Suboxone and Sublocade — are FDA-approved specifically for the treatment of opioid dependence and have decades of clinical research supporting their safety and efficacy.
MAT + Therapy = Best Outcomes
Research consistently shows that MAT combined with structured therapy and clinical support produces significantly better outcomes than either medication or therapy alone. This is the foundation of Cherry Hill Recovery Center's approach — MAT is always integrated into PHP or IOP programming, never prescribed in isolation.
MAT Medications Available at Cherry Hill Recovery Center
When MAT is determined to be clinically appropriate and agreed upon by the treatment team and patient, Cherry Hill Recovery Center offers two FDA-approved buprenorphine-based medications — Suboxone and Sublocade — prescribed and monitored by our medical team as part of your PHP or IOP program.
Suboxone
(Buprenorphine/Naloxone)
Suboxone is a sublingual film or tablet containing buprenorphine — a partial opioid agonist that reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms — and naloxone, which helps prevent misuse. It is taken daily and allows for flexible dose adjustments as your recovery progresses. Suboxone is typically the first MAT option considered for opioid use disorder and can be initiated at or shortly after detox referral completion.
- FDA-approved for opioid use disorder
- Daily sublingual film or tablet
- Flexible dosing under medical supervision
- Can be initiated post-detox referral
- Covered by most major insurance
- Integrated into PHP or IOP only
Sublocade
(Extended-Release Buprenorphine)
Sublocade is a once-monthly subcutaneous injection of extended-release buprenorphine. It delivers a consistent therapeutic level of medication throughout the month — eliminating the daily dosing requirement of Suboxone and removing the possibility of missed doses. Sublocade is an excellent option for patients who prefer the consistency and convenience of monthly dosing as part of their PHP or IOP program.
- FDA-approved for opioid use disorder
- Once-monthly injection
- Consistent therapeutic levels
- No daily dosing required
- Administered by provider at clinic
- Integrated into PHP or IOP only
MAT Is Not a Standalone Service at Cherry Hill Recovery Center
Suboxone and Sublocade are available at Cherry Hill Recovery Center exclusively as part of our PHP or IOP programs. Patients seeking MAT as a standalone prescription service without enrollment in a structured treatment program should speak with their primary care provider or a dedicated medication management clinic. Our approach is comprehensive care — and MAT is one component of that care when clinically appropriate.
How We Decide Whether MAT Is Right for You — Together
The decision to include MAT in a patient's treatment plan is never made unilaterally. It is a transparent, collaborative process involving our clinical team, our medical team, and most importantly — you. Here is how that process works.
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1
Comprehensive Clinical Assessment
Your journey at Cherry Hill Recovery Center begins with a thorough psychiatric and medical evaluation by our medical team. This covers your complete substance use history, physical health, mental health, prior treatment experiences, and personal goals. This assessment forms the foundation of every clinical recommendation — including whether MAT may be appropriate for you.
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2
Clinical Team Review
Our clinical and medical team — including therapists, counselors, and psychiatry — reviews your assessment and discusses whether MAT aligns with your clinical profile. We consider the type and severity of substance use disorder, presence of co-occurring conditions, previous treatment history, and clinical evidence for your specific situation.
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3
Medical Evaluation
Our medical team conducts a dedicated medical evaluation to assess whether you are an appropriate candidate for Suboxone or Sublocade specifically — including any medical contraindications, current medications, and health conditions that may affect the choice of medication or dosing.
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4
Open Conversation With You
Before any MAT prescription is written, our medical and clinical team sits down with you to discuss the findings, explain the recommendation, answer every question you have, and understand your own perspective on medication as part of your recovery. Your values, concerns, and goals matter. MAT is never imposed — it is discussed, explained, and agreed upon together.
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5
Mutual Agreement and Integration
MAT is initiated only when the clinical evidence supports it, our medical team confirms it, and you as the patient agree it is the right course of action. Once agreed, MAT is seamlessly integrated into your PHP or IOP program — monitored and adjusted by our medical team throughout your treatment as your recovery progresses.
Your Voice Matters in This Decision
Some patients come to us specifically requesting MAT. Others have concerns or reservations about medication. Both are completely valid starting points. Our job is to give you honest, evidence-based clinical guidance — and then respect your role in making the final decision about your own recovery.
Common Misconceptions About MAT — Addressed Honestly
Medication Assisted Treatment is one of the most evidence-backed approaches in addiction medicine — and also one of the most misunderstood. Here are the most common concerns we hear from patients and families — and what the clinical evidence actually shows.
Is Suboxone Just Replacing One Drug With Another?
This is the most common misconception about MAT. Suboxone is an FDA-approved medication used under medical supervision to treat a diagnosed medical condition — opioid use disorder. Unlike heroin or prescription opioids, Suboxone taken as prescribed does not produce euphoria, does not impair functioning, and is managed transparently within a structured clinical program. Using this logic, insulin would be 'replacing one drug with another' for a diabetic patient.
Does MAT Mean You Are Not Really in Recovery?
No. Recovery is defined by improved health, functioning, and wellbeing — not by the absence of medication. The American Society of Addiction Medicine, SAMHSA, and virtually every major medical organization recognize MAT as a legitimate and effective form of recovery. Many patients on MAT lead fully functional, healthy, and meaningful lives.
Will I Be on MAT Forever?
Not necessarily. The appropriate duration of MAT varies by individual. Some patients use MAT for a defined period as a bridge to medication-free recovery. Others benefit from longer-term MAT as part of their ongoing recovery management. Our medical team reviews MAT status regularly throughout your PHP or IOP program and discusses any changes openly with you — the goal is always your long-term wellbeing, not indefinite prescribing.
Can Anyone Who Calls Get a Suboxone Prescription?
No. MAT at Cherry Hill Recovery Center is not a standalone prescription service. It is available exclusively to patients enrolled in our PHP or IOP program and only when our clinical and medical team and the patient are all in agreement that MAT is clinically appropriate. A thorough assessment precedes every MAT recommendation.
MAT Prescribed and Managed by Dr. Jeffrey Simon
Dr. Jeffrey Simon is a board-certified psychiatrist and licensed MAT prescriber specializing in addiction medicine and co-occurring mental health disorders. He oversees all MAT protocols at Cherry Hill Recovery Center — conducting the medical evaluations that determine MAT appropriateness, prescribing and monitoring Suboxone and Sublocade for enrolled patients, and adjusting medication plans as recovery progresses.
Dr. Simon's approach to MAT is rooted in both clinical evidence and individual humanity. He understands that the decision to use medication as part of recovery is personal — shaped by past experiences, values, and goals. He takes the time to have honest, unhurried conversations with every patient about MAT before any prescription is written. His role is to give you the best clinical guidance available and then support whatever decision you make together as a team.
MAT and Detox — Bridging the Gap in Opioid Recovery
For patients recovering from heroin or opioid addiction, the period immediately following detox is one of the highest-risk windows for relapse and overdose. Physical withdrawal may be complete but the biological cravings and neurological changes of opioid use disorder persist well beyond detox. MAT — when agreed upon as part of the treatment plan — bridges this critical gap by maintaining biological stability while the patient engages in the therapeutic work of PHP or IOP.
Cherry Hill Recovery Center does not operate an on-site detox facility. For patients who require detox before entering our PHP or IOP program, we refer and coordinate detox placement with a trusted regional detox provider matched to their specific needs. When MAT has been agreed upon as part of the treatment plan, we communicate this to the receiving detox facility so that Suboxone can be initiated at the appropriate clinical moment during detox — ensuring continuity of MAT management from detox through PHP or IOP under our medical team's supervision. This is especially important for patients with fentanyl addiction.
The MAT Continuity Pathway
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1. Clinical Assessment
MAT appropriateness evaluated by our medical and clinical team.
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2. Mutual Agreement
MAT included in treatment plan when our clinical and medical team and patient all agree.
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3. Detox Referral (if needed)
We refer and coordinate placement with a detox provider and communicate MAT plan to that facility.
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4. MAT Initiated
Suboxone initiated at detox or upon entry into PHP or IOP — no gap in biological support.
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5. PHP or IOP Integration
MAT managed by our medical team throughout your program — reviewed and adjusted regularly.
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6. Ongoing Monitoring
MAT status reviewed continuously — duration and dosing adjusted in collaboration with you.
Questions about MAT and detox referral?
Call 856-200-3127 →Who Is MAT Most Commonly Appropriate For?
MAT is not appropriate for every patient — and Cherry Hill Recovery Center never assumes it should be. The following profiles represent patients for whom MAT is most commonly found to be clinically appropriate when assessed by our medical team. This is a guide — not a guarantee. Every decision is made individually.
MAT May Be Clinically Appropriate When:
- You have opioid use disorder — heroin, fentanyl, prescription opioids, or synthetic opioids
- You have experienced multiple previous relapses despite other treatment approaches
- You are at high risk of overdose in the early weeks following detox
- Physical cravings are a significant barrier to engaging in therapy
- You are completing opioid detox referral and need biological stabilization for PHP or IOP
- You have co-occurring conditions that benefit from medication management alongside therapy
- You and your clinical team agree MAT aligns with your recovery goals
MAT May Not Be Indicated When:
- —Primary substance is cocaine, marijuana, or stimulants (no FDA-approved MAT exists)
- —Clinical assessment indicates strong recovery potential through therapy alone
- —Patient has personal values-based objection to medication after full informed discussion
- —Medical contraindications identified by our medical team
- —Patient is progressing well in PHP or IOP without biological support needs
The Only Way to Know Is a Proper Assessment
The lists above are general guidance — not a substitute for a proper clinical evaluation. The only way to know whether MAT is right for your recovery is to speak with our medical team directly. Call 856-200-3127 to schedule a free assessment and begin that conversation.
MAT in PHP vs IOP — How It Works in Each Program
MAT Within PHP
Patients enrolled in our Partial Hospitalization Program who have MAT as part of their treatment plan receive daily clinical oversight — the intensity of PHP allows for close monitoring of medication response, rapid dose adjustments, and immediate clinical support if challenges arise. For patients transitioning directly from opioid detox referral into PHP, MAT integration is a core component of the early recovery stabilization process. Our medical team is closely involved in MAT management throughout PHP.
Learn About PHP →MAT Within IOP
Patients in our Intensive Outpatient Program with MAT as part of their treatment plan attend regular medication management appointments with our medical team alongside their IOP sessions. IOP with integrated MAT is particularly effective for patients who have stabilized on Suboxone or Sublocade during PHP and are ready to step down to a more flexible schedule — maintaining biological support while returning to greater independence in daily life.
Learn About IOP →Does Insurance Cover MAT in New Jersey?
Yes. Most major insurance plans cover Medication Assisted Treatment — including Suboxone and Sublocade — under substance use disorder benefits. Coverage for MAT as part of PHP or IOP programming is verified by our admissions team before you begin treatment. Because MAT at Cherry Hill Recovery Center is always integrated into a PHP or IOP program rather than billed as a standalone service, insurance verification covers your complete treatment pathway — programming and medication management together. You will have full clarity on your coverage before treatment starts.
MAT Services Serving Cherry Hill & All of South Jersey
Cherry Hill Recovery Center's MAT program — integrated within our PHP and IOP — serves patients from throughout Camden County, Burlington County, Gloucester County, Atlantic County, and the greater South Jersey and Philadelphia region. Virtual IOP with integrated MAT management extends access to patients anywhere in New Jersey. We are located at 1930 Marlton Pike East in Cherry Hill, NJ — easily accessible from Routes 70 and 38.
Frequently Asked Questions About MAT in New Jersey
Still have questions? Contact our admissions team.
MAT Is One Tool. Recovery Is the Goal. Let's Build Your Plan Together.
Whether MAT is part of your recovery or not is a decision we make together — based on clinical evidence, our medical team's assessment, and what you believe is right for you. Start with a free, confidential conversation.