Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) program at UCS expands across Bennington County into Northshire

United Counseling Service (UCS)’s outpatient Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) program will expand to the Manchester, VT, region on May 1, building on their services based in Bennington, VT. The goal of UCS’ MAT program is to meet the growing need for substance use disorder treatment services in Bennington County. The program is run by the agency’s Substance Use Services division and involves the use of medications, including buprenorphine and naltrexone, to help patients detoxify, reduce overdose risk, and maintain long-term recovery from substance misuse involving alcohol, opioids, or stimulants. MAT is used alongside other therapeutic tools to help people with substance use disorder reduce or stop substance misuse.  

Increasing the availability of MAT programs is an important step in treating substance use disorder, its symptoms, and negative effects on communities. MAT, in combination with other tools such as counseling, offers individuals a greater likelihood of maintaining recovery from substance use disorder.

“UCS is proud to offer this potentially life altering service to communities that for far too long have had to travel great lengths to meet their needs,” says UCS Director of Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Use Services, Ryan Murphy. “In this program, we want to meet people where they are in their recovery journey and help get them on the road to where they want their lives to be.”

Individuals interesting in determining their eligibility for the MAT program at UCS can visit UCS’ 100 Ledge Hill Drive location in Bennington or call 802-442-5491. MAT is offered at 100 Ledge Hill Drive Monday to Friday and at UCS’ Manchester location at 5312 Main Street in Manchester, VT on Wednesdays.