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The Garden Medication-Assisted Treatment Program

FDA-approved medications paired with outpatient behavioral therapy in Cherry Hill, ten minutes from Philadelphia.

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Program Description

The Garden Recovery & Wellness delivers medication-assisted treatment to New Jersey residents in a boutique outpatient setting. Small cohorts of eight to ten participants preserve confidentiality while fostering real-time peer support and collaboration.

Clients participate in three to five clinician-led sessions each week through the Intensive Outpatient (IOP) schedule, allowing them to maintain their employment, school, and family responsibilities. The program pairs MAT therapy with evidence-based counseling and holistic services—a model that The Garden refers to as integrated healing. [1]

On-site clinicians fine-tune each prescription, aiming to calm cravings, ease withdrawal, and lay the groundwork for lasting recovery.

Who Benefits from Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

Medication-assisted treatment New Jersey programming at The Garden is designed for adults with moderate-to-severe opioid use disorder who experience persistent cravings, withdrawal symptoms, or repeated relapse when traditional care is not enough. MAT therapy especially benefits:

  • High-functioning professionals, students, and parents who require flexible, outpatient scheduling to protect work, school, and family commitments
  • Individuals with co-occurring mental health concerns—such as anxiety, depression, or PTSD—who need integrated behavioral therapy alongside FDA-approved medications. [4]
  • Those stepping down from inpatient detox or partial-care services who still need medication management and real-time peer support

Safety & FDA-Approved Medications

The Garden uses only medications that meet the FDA’s gold standard for treating opioid addiction: buprenorphine (often prescribed as Suboxone®), extended-release naltrexone (Vivitrol®), and—when a full agonist is the safest choice—methadone through trusted referral partners. [5]

On-site medical providers handle every aspect of medication management, from adjusting doses to monitoring side effects and keeping each client’s primary care physician informed. Every step adheres to SAMHSA guidelines and New Jersey licensing regulations, ensuring that care remains both evidence-based and fully accountable. [6]

The Garden’s Modalities for Medication-Assisted Treatment

This combination of medication-assisted treatment, behavioral therapy, and structured peer interaction offers an evidence-based pathway for overcoming opioid use disorder and other substance abuse challenges while living life in real time. [3]

01

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

Psychiatric providers prescribe, adjust, and monitor FDA-approved medications while collaborating with primary healthcare teams to ensure safety and efficacy.

02

Cognitive & Dialectical Behavioral Therapy

Evidence-based individual sessions target thought patterns, emotional regulation, and relapse triggers linked to substance use disorders. [2]

03

Small-Group Therapy (8–10 participants

Confidential groups practice coping skills, strengthen accountability, and build mutual support in an outpatient format.

04

Family Systems Therapy & Family Engagement

Clinician-guided work helps loved ones rebuild trust and extend recovery support at home, reinforcing long-term abstinence.

Insurance & Cost Transparency

The Garden handles the financial details up front, so money worries never come between a client and the care they need. Admissions specialists verify each private insurance plan, hunt for every out-of-network benefit, and explain how much of the medication-assisted treatment will be covered. For those who prefer to pay directly, straightforward private-pay options are available.

During the review, the team checks whether New Jersey Medicaid or Medicare will cover essential services, such as buprenorphine or extended-release naltrexone. It breaks down any copays for medications, lab work, or counseling visits.

Every estimate is delivered before treatment begins, giving families the clarity and confidence to move forward without pressure.

Admission Pathway

  1. Private Assessment: Prospective clients receive a confidential, clinician-led evaluation—by phone, telehealth, or on-site—to confirm medical eligibility for MAT and to screen for substance use disorders and mental health needs.
  2. Same-Week Start: Once approved, individuals receive a personalized treatment plan and the earliest available start date, often within the same calendar week
  3. Detox Coordination: When medically necessary, the admissions team arranges seamless transfers to trusted detox partners before outpatient MAT begins
  4. Insurance Review & Logistics: Staff verify benefits, outline costs, and schedule an in-person or virtual orientation to ensure clients can maintain their daily responsibilities without disruption.

Recovery Support & Aftercare

Lasting recovery calls for more than a prescription, so The Garden builds a safety net that stays in place long after formal treatment ends.

  • Alumni groups and peer events keep graduates connected through small-group check-ins, social outings, and informal mentorship that strengthen relapse-prevention skills.
  • Community support services connect each participant with 12-Step meetings, SMART Recovery gatherings, and local mental health or human services resources for ongoing, real-world accountability.
  • Continued care planning sets up seamless hand-offs to outpatient therapy, sober-living partners, or ongoing medication management, tailoring every step to the individual treatment plan.

Together, these supports help maintain the momentum of medication-assisted treatment, enabling New Jersey clients to turn early gains into lifelong well-being.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Medication-Assisted Treatment

How long does MAT last?

Medication-assisted treatment is an individualized process rather than a fixed-length program. Clinical guidelines recommend a minimum of 12 months, yet many participants remain in MAT therapy for several years to protect gains and prevent relapse. Tapering occurs only when cravings, withdrawal symptoms, and lifestyle stability indicate that maintenance medication is no longer medically necessary.

Are MAT medications safe?

Licensed clinicians rely on three FDA-approved medications—buprenorphine, methadone, and long-acting naltrexone—to help people overcome opioid use disorder. [7] When these medicines are prescribed and closely monitored, they have a solid safety record and represent the gold standard of evidence-based care. Ongoing medication-management check-ups enable providers to identify side effects early, adjust dosages as needed, and maintain communication with each client’s primary doctor to ensure treatment remains effective and safe over the long term.

Does MAT replace one drug with another?

MAT does not substitute one dependency for another; it stabilizes brain receptors that have been altered by chronic opioid exposure. By occupying those receptors in a controlled manner, buprenorphine or methadone stops the cycle of intoxication and withdrawal, allowing clients to engage fully in behavioral therapy and relapse-prevention planning. [8] Naltrexone works differently—it blocks opioids entirely—yet the goal is the same: restoring physiological balance so psychological work can take root. [9] 

Can MAT be an outpatient?

Yes. The Garden offers MAT drug treatment in an outpatient format that fits around employment, school, and family life. Clients attend several clinician-led sessions each week for counseling, medication pickups, and screenings, then return home the same day. Outpatient delivery enables the immediate application of new coping strategies in real-world environments, thereby accelerating progress.

Does insurance cover MAT?

Yes—most private insurers and New Jersey Medicaid classify medication-assisted treatment as medically necessary care. Typical coverage spans FDA-approved medications, physician appointments, lab work, and counseling sessions. During the admissions process, The Garden’s team verifies each policy, breaks down any copays, and reviews private-pay arrangements. Clear cost outlines mean clients know exactly what to expect financially before the first session begins.

What if a dose is missed?

A single missed dose of buprenorphine or methadone can trigger breakthrough cravings or mild withdrawal. Individuals are instructed to contact their MAT provider promptly for guidance rather than doubling up on the next scheduled dose. For naltrexone injections, an appointment is rescheduled as soon as possible to maintain the medication’s 28-day blockade window.

Is MAT only for opioid use disorder?

While opioid addiction remains the primary indication, naltrexone is also approved for alcohol use disorder, and emerging research is exploring medications such as acamprosate and disulfiram in combination with counseling. [10] Providers evaluate each substance use disorder on a case-by-case basis to determine whether pharmacotherapy will enhance recovery outcomes.

Sources

[1][6] Medications for substance use disorders. (n.d.-j). https://www.samhsa.gov/substance-use/treatment/options

[2] Yue, H., & Pena, E. (2022c, November 11). Addiction psychotherapeutic care. StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK587365/

[3][5][7] Research, C. F. D. E. A. (2024b, December 26). Information about Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD). U.S. Food And Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/information-drug-class/information-about-medications-opioid-use-disorder-moud

[4] Co-Occurring disorders and other health conditions. (n.d.-k). https://www.samhsa.gov/substance-use/treatment/co-occurring-disorders

[8] Kumar, R., Viswanath, O., & Saadabadi, A. (2024, June 8). Buprenorphine. StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459126/

[9][10] Singh, D., & Saadabadi, A. (2023, May 30). Naltrexone. StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534811/