Helping you on the path to full recovery from substance use disorder

Medications can help ease the discomfort you may experience when withdrawing from opioids or other substances and reduce cravings for further use. Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) through the CSB's Addiction Medicine Clinic (AMC) is provided to adults in an outpatient setting. Using AMC’s services allows you to remain in the community throughout detoxification and substance use disorder treatment, if appropriate. Counseling services and referrals for additional treatment are also provided to help you begin and sustain your recovery. Studies show the use of Medication Assisted Treatment for opioid use disorders has led to successful recovery rates of 40-60%, compared to 5-20% for abstinence-only models (DMAS, 2017).

What is the Addiction Medicine Clinic?

The Addiction Medicine Clinic is the CSB’s only outpatient provider of buprenorphine. AMC provides substance use disorder services through Office-Based Addiction Treatment (OBAT). AMC also supports clients who are adding buprenorphine to their services while in another CSB program. AMC is based at the Sharon Bulova Center for Community Health, with weekly satellite clinics at the Gartlan Center and the Northwest Center.

What is Medication-Assisted Treatment?

Medication-Assisted Treatment is the use of Food & Drug Administration-approved medications such as buprenorphine, naltrexone, Antabuse and Vivitrol in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies to treat substance use disorders and prevent opioid overdose. These prescribed medications help normalize brain chemistry, reduce the feelings of euphoria when using drugs, relieve physiological cravings, and stabilize your body without the negative effects of the non-prescribed substance.

MAT is medically based and treats addiction as a disease process. The primary medication used in MAT at the CSB for the treatment of opioid use disorder is buprenorphine. Naltrexone/Vivitrol are used for the treatment of alcohol use disorder.

Maintenance treatment like MAT helps to stabilize you in your recovery, allowing you to receive treatment for related medical, psychological and other issues so you can improve your quality of life.

What is Office-Based Addiction Treatment (OBAT)?

Office-Based Addiction Treatment (OBAT) is specifically designed for those with past or present substance use disorders. OBAT includes medication management, case management, supports from a Peer Recovery Specialist, and optional therapy (group and individual). Clients can receive treatment for their co-occurring psychiatric diagnosis through OBAT.

Flexibility is a hallmark of AMC’s OBAT program, as clients may choose from a range of treatment activities that best suit their needs and preferences. While groups are offered and strongly encouraged in OBAT, they are not the only way to succeed in the program, making it a good option for those who struggle with group treatment.

OBAT consists of three phases:

• Phase One and Phase Two require clients to complete a specific number of treatment activities over a period of at least three months per phase, in order to move forward. Phase One is typically weekly treatment and Phase Two is typically biweekly treatment. After Phase Two clients are eligible for a Completion Certificate.

• Phase Three is a maintenance phase, appropriate for clients who are well-established in their recovery and able to sustain it with treatment on a biweekly or monthly basis.

OBAT is an abstinence-encouraging program, helping people at all stages of recovery. Responses to a slip or return to use are based on individual circumstances, and may include more frequent outpatient services, participation in residential detox to re-stabilize, or referral to a higher level of care. Decisions about dispensing medication are based on a client’s health and safety. All OBAT phases use urine analysis at each prescriber visit.

Who can receive AMC services?

To be eligible for services, you must:

• Be a resident of Fairfax County or the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church.
• Be age 18 or older.
• Be able to access outpatient services (you must be able to get to the Sharon Bulova Center for Community Health for your appointments).
• Be medically and psychiatrically stable enough for MAT.
• Have a recent assessment for AMC services.

Who provides client care for Medication-Assisted Treatment?

The professional staff providing Medication-Assisted Treatment at the Addiction Medicine Clinic include:

• Medical prescribers (medical doctor, psychiatrist, physician assistant, nurse practitioner)
• Nursing staff
• Behavioral health staff (including Licensed Clinical Social Workers, Licensed Professional Counselors, and Certified Substance Abuse Counselors)
• A pharmacy representative

Can I afford treatment at AMC?

AMC accepts Medicaid and other types of insurance, offers a sliding scale for people without insurance, and has assistance for medication costs for those who can’t otherwise afford their medication.

How can I access AMC services?

New CSB clients may:

• Contact CSB Entry & Referral Services at 703-383-8500 to schedule an assessment for Addiction Medicine Clinic and Office-Based Addiction Treatment services. Or,

• Walk-in for an assessment with CSB Entry & Referral Services Monday through Friday at the Sharon Bulova Center for Community Health. Or,

• Walk-in directly to the Addiction Medicine Clinic at the Sharon Bulova Center for Community Health on Friday, Saturday or Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

For more information or to speak with AMC staff directly, please contact 703-559-3188.

Current CSB clients can ask the staff they already receive services from to submit a referral to the Addiction Medicine Clinic. Medication-Assisted Treatment may be added as a secondary service to another CSB program, or a client may transfer into Office-Based Addiction Treatment.