MEDICATION ASSISTED TREATMENT

Medication-Assisted Therapy Clinic

Mālama I Ke Ola recognizes the impact of the opioid epidemic in the United States and provides resources and treatment to the community in Maui. Through an integrated approach, Mālama I Ke Ola provides medication-assisted treatment for our primary care patients with opioid use disorder. 

What is medication-assisted treatment?

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) refers to the combination of counseling and medications such as buprenorphine to help patients reach and maintain recovery from opioid use disorder. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, this approach has been shown to:

• Improve patient survival
• Increase retention in treatment
• Decrease opiate misuse and criminal activity among people who misuse substances
• Increase patients’ ability to gain and maintain employment
• Improve birth outcomes among women who have substance use disorders and are pregnant

MAT is not a pain management program. Your primary care provider may refer you to pain-management if necessary.

What would my treatment look like?

Treatment starts with an evaluation by one of our Certified Substance Abuse Counselors (CSAC) to help us determine your initial medical and behavioral health needs. Details and expectations about MAT will be explained to make sure you fully understand the treatment process. Since Mālama I Ke Ola does not offer an intensive outpatient program (IOP) or detox care, we may recommend you get all or a part of your behavioral health and/or substance use treatment at another agency even if you’re receiving your MAT prescription at Mālama.

Following your initial evaluation with a CSAC, you will be scheduled for an appointment with your Mālama primary care provider to discuss MAT medication, when and how to start your prescription, and any other health concerns that need to be addressed when starting MAT. You may or may not receive your MAT prescription at your first medical appointment.

Once you receive your prescription, you’ll start your medication at home through a process called home induction. You will be in regular contact with your health care team throughout this time to make sure you’re started on a dose that will treat your symptoms. Once your starting dose is established, you will have regular appointments with different members of your health care team to monitor your overall health and treatment progress.

In order to continue receiving your MAT prescription at Mālama, you are expected to be actively engaged in behavioral health and/or substance use treatment either with us or at another agency depending on the level of behavioral health care you need.

How long will someone need to use MAT?

There is no time limit on how long someone can stay on MAT; people may safely be on it for months or years, depending on their needs. Even if someone has to be on it for the rest of their life, MAT is always a safer alternative to opioid abuse.

Doesn’t MAT substitute one addiction for another?

No. MAT targets the areas of the brain that cause withdrawal symptoms and cravings in people with opioid use disorder, and helps people maintain abstinence from using opioids by suppressing these cravings.

In addition, MAT is safer than misusing medications or street drugs by providing a monitored, stable medication under the supervision of a licensed medical provider. By eliminating the ups-and-downs that typically come with substance abuse, people are better able to live their day-to-day lives, have positive relationships with their families, maintain employment, and feel better about themselves and their future.

How do I make an appointment?

To make an appointment or ask any questions, please call us at (808) 871-7772.

Locations

Lahaina Satellite

15 Ipu ‘Aumakua Lane
Lahaina, HI 96761
(808) 871-7772

Friday 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.