Medication Assisted Treatment

Medication Assisted Treatment is a service available for those suffering from opiate use disorders or alcohol use disorders, and involves the use of medications to decrease cravings, decrease side effects of withdrawal, and to provide improved motivation to abstain from substances.

Who is eligible?

Anyone can use this service who has a substance use disorder and is in need of assistance to abstain from alcohol, opiates, or methamphetamines.

  • Program participants must have a substance use disorder and not be under current physician care or with a pain management clinic.
  • Program participants must be 18 years or older.

Is there a charge for this service?

This service is provided free of charge for Medi-Cal beneficiaries and on a reasonable sliding fee scale.

  • Income levels and household size are assessed and fees are determined upon a percentage.
  • Medi-Cal beneficiaries' fees are covered by Medi-Cal.

When and where is this service offered?

This service is available throughout the year during regular business hours except during scheduled holidays. The services are available at Behavioral Health Drug and Alcohol Services clinic locations in Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo, and Grover Beach.

Several other organizations offer Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) in SLO County. Please see the FAQ section below for a list of non-county MAT resources. 

Location, directions and hours of operation

Click on location name to show hours of operation, directions and phone information

Monday - Friday 8-5


1523 Longbranch Avenue
Grover Beach, CA 93433

Tel: (805) 473-7080

Monday - Friday 8-5


805 4th Street
Paso Robles, CA 93446

Adult Drug and Alcohol Services: (805) 226-3200

Youth Mental Health Services: (805) 237-3070

Adult Mental Health Services: (805)-237-3090

Monday - Friday 8-5


2180 Johnson Avenue
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

Tel: (805) 781-4275

Monday - Friday 8-5


2180 Johnson Avenue
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

Tel: (820) 280-0415

FAQS

Research has shown that MAT leads to better treatment outcomes compared to behavioral treatments alone. MAT reduces illicit drug use, disease rates, and criminal activity. Using MAT is not replacing one addiction with another. The medication helps suppress physical symptoms of withdrawal and decrease cravings, while behavioral therapies support the individual in their path to recovery.
Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) uses medications, in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies, to treat opiate and alcohol use disorders. These medications work to stabilize brain chemistry block euphoric effects of opioids relieve physiological cravings help normalize body functions Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) uses medications, in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies, to treat opiate and alcohol use disorders.
Opiates treated by MAT include heroin, morphine, oxycontin, and other narcotic pain killers. 

Several other organizations offer Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) in SLO County. The MAT programs listed below are not overseen by the SLO Behavioral Health. Scope of services may vary. Please call the organizations below directly for more information about specific insurance requirements and referral processes:

  • Aegis: Pinnacle Treatment Center: 1551 Bishop St, Suite 520, San Luis Obispo & 6500 Morro Road, Suites C & D, Atascadero; (805) 461-5212
    • Treatment for patients with Medi-Cal, Medicare, Tricare, and private insurance. Sliding scale payments may be available. 
  • Aspire Counseling Services: 865 Aerovista Pl, Suite 130, San Luis Obispo; (805) 329-5595
    • Treatment for patients with private insurance.
  • Avila Heaights Recovery: 6850 Ontario Rd, San Luis Obispo; (805) 549-5705
    • Treatment for patients with private insurance.
  • Balance Treatment Center: 1551 Bishop St, A-130, San Luis Obispo; (805) 322-4400 
    •  Treatment for patients with Tricare and private insurance. 
  • Cottage Psychiatry & Addiction Medicine: 628 California Blvd, Suite A, San Luis Obispo; (805) 541-9113
    •  Treatment for patients with Medicare and private insurance. Payment plans may be available. 
  • Ken Starr MD Wellness Group: 107 Nelson St, Arroyo Grande; (805) 242-1360
    • Treatment for patients with private insurance.
  • MindVIde: 530 Camino Mercado, Arroyo Grande; (866) 245-7112
    • Treatment for patients with Tricare, Medi-Cal, Medicare, Tricare, and private insurance.
Naloxone is a life-saving medication that is used to reverse an opioid related overdose. Narcan is the name brand of naloxone in a single use, nasal spray. Naloxone is also available in other forms, such as manual intramuscular injectable naloxone, and naloxone with a nasal atomizer. They all offer different ways to administer naloxone. 

Naloxone works by blocking opioid receptor sites, reversing the overdose and allowing the person to breathe. It can be safely administered by laypersons vis nasal spray.

Learn more by visiting the Naloxone Now SLO website. 

Anyone using opioids (whether for recreational purposes or under medical care) is at risk of overdose and is recommended to have access to naloxone. This may also include people who use non-opioid illicit substances (such as stimulants or counterfeit pills), due to the increase of fentanyl found in a range of substances across California. Fentanyl is an opioid that can be deadly in very small doses. It is legal and safe for anyone to carry and use naloxone in case of emergency. One may consider carrying naloxone for many reasons, including:

  • using illicit substances, or having contact with someone who does
  • having an opioid prescription, or having contact with someone who does
  • having a loved one you think is using illicit drugs or misusing prescription medications
  • having a loved one in substance use treatment
  • living or working in an area where substance use is occurring
  • being concerned about opioid use in the community and wanting to be prepared to save a life
Learn more by visiting the Naloxone Now SLO website. 
Naloxone can be obtained at all Behavioral Health clinics, NaloxBox community access sites, local pharmacies, and through the mail for free at www.NaloxoneNowSLO.org. 

You may Learn more by visiting the Naloxone Now SLO website.