Southern New Jersey
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
Center of Excellence

Expanding care, promoting excellence

New Jersey Department of Human Services Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services and NJ FamilyCare collaborated with Rutgers New Jersey Medical School in Northern New Jersey and Cooper University Health Care/Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Southern New Jersey to develop Medication for Addiction Treatment (MAT) Centers of Excellence. The New Jersey MAT Centers of Excellence are part of the New Jersey MATRx Model, an integrated model of all levels of addiction care promoting medication for addiction treatment (MAT). The NJ MAT Centers of Excellence work to increase access to MAT across our state by providing education and mentoring, growing an MAT transitions of care network, and modeling standards of care for addiction treatment through education, innovation, and research.

About Us

News & Updates

COVID 19 Tips for Safety During the Outbreak

COVID Resources For Individuals

Vital Strategies & Harm Reduction Coalition: Safer Drug Use During the COVID-19 Outbreak

COVID Resources For Clinicians

DEA Telemedicine Guidelines for MAT

Free Mail-Order Emergency Naloxone in New Jersey:

877-4NARCAN or (877) 462-7226 to request naloxone, or also request online through https://www.naloxoneforall.org/newjersey

About Addiction

Neurobiology of Addiction

An addiction or a use disorder is a brain disease that occurs after repeat exposure to substances or activities that result in reward (positive) and withdrawal (negative) cycles. When a brain is exposed to these cycles over and over, the end result is change in the brain structure and connections that can change behavior. People often experience impulse control, or the inability to stop a behavior such as using a substance. Over time, using substances or engaging in the addictive behavior often doesn’t even feel pleasurable anymore, but people with use disorders have a compulsion to continue to use as if it is survival, and an inability to stop or assess risk. This can be detrimental to relationships, productivity, and engaging in normal life activities. It can result in severe emotional and physical distress. The good news is that for some addictions, like opioid use disorder, we have good medications that can help stop this cycle and stabilize the brain. Research clearly demonstrates that these medications save lives (decrease mortality) and help people live longer, more productive and satisfying lives.