Substance Use Disorder Treatment Steps & FAQs

A first meeting with a trained professional will help figure out the best place to start and what kind of care you need. They look at your health, substance use, mental health, and support system to suggest options like living at a treatment center or getting help while staying at home. 

Treatment usually begins with an assessment to find out what each person needs. Depending on the situation, the next steps might include withdrawal management (if needed), joining a residential or outpatient program, staying in recovery housing for extra support, and using ongoing help like peer support or care navigation. Not everyone will need every step, and some steps might happen more than once. 

People with serious addiction or who might have unsafe withdrawal symptoms may need medical withdrawal management. Withdrawal management helps people stop using drugs or alcohol safely with medical supervision. You can get these services by contacting a treatment center, healthcare provider, or hospital program in Alaska. It’s important not to quit suddenly without medical help.  

Residential treatment means staying at a facility full-time with support and structure to help start recovery. Outpatient treatment lets people live at home, keep their normal routines, and go to scheduled appointments or group sessions a few times a week. The best choice depends on each person’s needs, support system, and how serious their addiction is. 

In Alaska, recovery support can include peer support groups, help finding a job, housing help, family education, and peer recovery coaches. Many communities also have self-help groups and other resources to help people stay in recovery long-term. 

Yes. Not everyone needs every treatment step. People can start at the step that fits them best and move between steps if needed. Some steps, like outpatient care or recovery support, may be repeated during recovery. 

After finishing treatment, continuing recovery support is important. This can include follow-up counseling, support groups, peer support, relapse prevention, help with work or housing, and ongoing medical care. Living in recovery residences can help people feel safe when returning to the community. Some people use recovery supports for years, while others use only what they need. 

You can start with your doctor, a hospital, or a behavioral health center for an assessment and referral. Alaska’s Division of Behavioral Health has an online directory at findtreatment.gov where you can search by location and services. You can also call 211 or contact your local public health center, primary care provider, or tribal health organization. 

Many people in Alaska live far from treatment centers. Telehealth and medication-assisted treatment through local clinics are growing. Tribal health organizations or Behavioral Health Aides can help with assessments and referrals to care. 

No. You can contact a treatment program directly to get an assessment. If you have a doctor or counselor, they can help coordinate care, but it isn’t required. 

Yes. Access is improving with telehealth, mobile MAT, and local providers. Behavioral Health Aides and Community Health Aides can help connect you to virtual or regional programs. 

Family and friends can help by joining education sessions, support groups, and therapy to understand addiction and learn how to support recovery. Many programs offer family counseling or education alongside individual treatment. Involving loved ones can improve recovery and build a strong support system. 

Yes. Many outpatient and telehealth programs are designed to fit around work and school schedules. You might also qualify for job-protected leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). 

Medicaid may cover travel for in-state treatment if it’s medically necessary, but coverage depends on the program. Alaska Medicaid does not cover out-of-state treatment or travel. 

No. Alaska does not have involuntary substance use treatment facilities. Recovery works best when people choose to participate voluntarily. 

Many programs offer sliding-scale fees or state-funded options. No one should be turned away for not being able to pay—ask the provider about financial aid programs. 

MAT uses medicine, sometimes with counseling and recovery support, to treat substance use problems like opioid or alcohol use. MAT helps lower cravings, ease withdrawal symptoms, and support long-term recovery by helping balance the brain. 

Most adults, and sometimes teens, can try MAT if they have problems with opioids, alcohol, or tobacco. A doctor or healthcare provider will check your health, the substances you use, and your goals to see if MAT is safe for you. 

 No. Medications for Addiction Treatment (MAT) do not make you feel high. They work by balancing brain chemistry and reducing cravings, so your body can function normally. MAT helps people feel stable, prevent withdrawal, and greatly lowers the risk of overdose. It is real medical treatment, not just replacing one drug with another. 

The main medicines used in MAT for opioid use disorder, are buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone. For alcohol use disorder, medicines can include acamprosate, naltrexone, or disulfiram. Each medicine works differently. Some block the effects of drugs or alcohol, others reduce cravings, and some help prevent relapse. For more information, see the MAT guide.

Yes. MAT can be offered in both types of programs. Providers adjust treatment depending on the program and the person’s needs. 

It depends. Some people use MAT for a few months, others for years. The person and their provider decide together when it’s safe to stop or continue. 

Yes. Experts from the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology say MAT is safer than medically supervised withdrawal for pregnant women with opioid use disorder. Doctors watch the mother and baby closely to make sure both are healthy. 

Yes. MAT can also treat alcohol use disorder, and some clinics use it for tobacco use as well. 

Most MAT medicines (except methadone and buprenorphine) don’t show up on regular job drug tests, though special tests can find them. Always talk with your healthcare provider if you have job drug testing concerns. 

MAT works well alone or with counseling, therapy, or peer support depending on the individual’s needs. Counseling helps with behavior and coping skills, while MAT helps the body handle addiction. 

Most MAT medicines and services are covered by Medicaid and many private insurance plans in Alaska. Check with your provider and health plan about coverage, pre-approvals, and any costs you might pay. 

Some clinics allow same-day or walk-in MAT. Others need an assessment or have a wait. Call ahead to find out what’s available locally. 

Yes. Some medicines, like buprenorphine, help manage opioid use safely. A licensed prescriber will help support treatment and reduce withdrawal symptoms.

MAT is personalized. Your provider will check in regularly to adjust medicines, add support, and help you reach your recovery goals as they change. 

Naloxone is available without a prescription at most Alaska pharmacies. Free kits are also available through Project HOPE distribution sites and some public health centers. You can also order kits and other lifesaving overdose prevention supplies from ANTHC HIV/STD Prevention Program’s website.

A chronic, treatable condition defined by a pattern of uncontrolled alcohol use leading to significant disruption and impairment performing previously normal activities in the individual’s daily life

A trained community-based worker, often in tribal or rural Alaska communities, who provides mental health and substance use services under supervision. 

 A service that helps individuals move through different parts of the healthcare or treatment system, ensuring they receive coordinated and continuous care.

A trained professional working in rural communities and employed by Tribal Health Organizations to provide essential healthcare services. 

A federal law allowing eligible employees to take unpaid, job-protected leave for certain medical or family reasons, including treatment for substance use disorder. 

A program that provides access to FDA-approved medications for treatment Opioid Use Disorder from a mobile clinic. The clinic offers safe administration of medication and therapeutic support to those who experience barriers to travel and/or live in remote or rural areas. 

A chronic, treatable condition defined by a problematic pattern of opioid use leading to significant disruption and impairment performing previously normal activities in the individual’s daily life. 

A person with lived experience of recovery who provides guidance, encouragement, and mentorship to others working toward sobriety.

Safe, substance-free housing that supports individuals transitioning from treatment to independent living.

A set of skills and strategies designed to help people recognize and avoid triggers that could lead to returning to substance use.

The remote delivery of healthcare services through electronic communication. 

A medically supervised process to safely remove drugs or alcohol from the body and manage withdrawal symptoms.