Identify triggers
Triggers may include certain people, places, emotions, routines, or situations associated with substance use.
Medical Support for Addiction, Cravings, and Recovery
Addiction is a medical condition, not a lack of willpower. Mediversity Health provides personalized addiction medicine in Turnersville, Salem County, and throughout South Jersey, with convenient access for nearby Philadelphia-area communities, including medication-assisted treatment (MAT), counseling and behavioral support, individualized recovery planning, and ongoing follow-up.
Judgment-free recovery care
Addiction is a medical condition, not a lack of willpower — and substance use disorders are treatable.
Addiction medicine is a medical specialty focused on preventing, evaluating, diagnosing, treating, and supporting recovery from addiction and substance-related health conditions. An addiction medicine physician considers both the substance use itself and the physical, psychological, and social factors that can affect recovery.
At Mediversity Health, our Addiction Medicine program provides personalized care for patients in Turnersville, Salem County, and throughout South Jersey, with convenient access for nearby Philadelphia-area communities. The program includes medication-assisted treatment (MAT), counseling and behavioral support, individualized recovery planning, and ongoing follow-up.
Treatment is not identical for every person. The right approach depends on the substance, the severity of the disorder, your health history, current medications, previous treatment, withdrawal risk, and your goals.
The goal is not simply to tell someone to “stop using.” Effective addiction treatment can include medical treatment for cravings or withdrawal, counseling or behavioral interventions, monitoring, relapse-prevention planning, and referral to a higher level of care when necessary.
Whether you are looking for an addiction medicine physician, researching addiction treatment for yourself, or trying to help someone you care about, the first step is a clinical assessment to understand the substance involved, your medical history, withdrawal risk, treatment goals, and the level of care that is appropriate.
The American Society of Addiction Medicine defines addiction as a treatable, chronic medical disease.
You do not have to wait until substance use causes a crisis before seeking professional care. An evaluation may be appropriate when you:
A person does not need to “hit rock bottom” before treatment becomes appropriate. Substance use disorders are treatable medical conditions, and recovery is possible.
There is no single medication or treatment strategy that works for every patient. A treatment plan may combine several elements depending on your needs.
Medications can reduce cravings, manage withdrawal symptoms, block or reduce the effects of certain substances, and support long-term recovery.
Mediversity’s Addiction Medicine program specifically includes Suboxone, Vivitrol, and other FDA-approved medication-assisted treatment options.
For opioid use disorder, FDA-approved medications include buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone. Evidence-based medication treatment is associated with lower overdose and mortality risk, and medication treatment is generally preferred over detoxification alone for opioid use disorder.
For alcohol use disorder, FDA-approved medications include naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram. The appropriate medication depends on factors such as your medical history, treatment goals, current alcohol use, and other medications.
Medication is not automatically appropriate for everyone. Your clinician should review your health history, current substance use, other medications, allergies, and potential safety concerns before starting treatment. Learn more in our guide to medication-assisted treatment for opioid addiction.
Medication can be an important part of addiction treatment, but many patients also benefit from counseling, behavioral interventions, recovery support, or referral to behavioral health support.
Mediversity’s program includes counseling and behavioral therapy alongside medical treatment and individualized recovery planning. Behavioral support can help address the patterns surrounding substance use, identify triggers, develop strategies for cravings and high-risk situations, and support long-term changes.
Recovery is not necessarily a one-appointment process.
Mediversity’s Addiction Medicine program uses ongoing follow-up to monitor progress and adjust care as needed.
Some follow-up visits may be suitable for a televisit appointment when clinically appropriate. Whether you can see a doctor online in New Jersey for addiction care depends on the service, medication, and your clinical circumstances — some visits must be in person.
The answer depends on the substance involved. There is not one universal “addiction pill,” and medication used during withdrawal is not necessarily the same medication used for longer-term treatment.
| Condition | FDA-approved medications | How they are used |
|---|---|---|
| Opioid use disorder | Buprenorphine, methadone, naltrexone | Buprenorphine is commonly used to reduce opioid withdrawal and cravings, while naltrexone works differently by blocking opioid effects. Medication treatment is generally preferred over detoxification alone. |
| Alcohol use disorder | Naltrexone, acamprosate, disulfiram | They work in different ways and are selected based on medical history, treatment goals, current alcohol use, and other medications. |
Your clinician may also determine that medication is not the primary treatment approach for your particular situation or that another level of care is more appropriate. Sources: SAMHSA and NIAAA.
This is an important distinction: detoxification and addiction treatment are not the same thing.
Withdrawal management focuses on safely managing the physical effects of stopping or reducing a substance. Longer-term addiction treatment addresses the underlying substance use disorder and the risk of returning to use.
The medications used during withdrawal depend on the substance involved. Some people can be managed in outpatient settings, while others need medically supervised or inpatient care.
That is why a proper clinical assessment should come before attempting to stop certain substances abruptly on your own.
Alcohol withdrawal can become life-threatening, particularly after heavy, prolonged use. Severe withdrawal can include seizures or delirium tremens and may require medical monitoring.
Detoxification alone is not recommended as a complete treatment strategy because returning to opioid use after detox can increase overdose risk. Evidence-based medication treatment should be offered or arranged when appropriate.
There is no simple yes-or-no answer.
Substance use disorders are treatable, and many people achieve recovery. However, addiction treatment is not necessarily a one-time cure in the way treatment for an infection might be. Some people need longer-term medication, monitoring, behavioral support, or other forms of continuing care.
For opioid use disorder in particular, treatment may continue for months, years, or longer depending on the individual. SAMHSA notes that medications for opioid use disorder can be used for months, years, or even a lifetime when clinically appropriate.
The more useful question is often: What treatment approach is appropriate for me right now, and what support will help me maintain recovery over time?
Cravings can be one of the most difficult parts of recovery, and trying to manage them through willpower alone may not be enough. Depending on the substance and diagnosis, treatment may help reduce cravings through medication, behavioral strategies, counseling, environmental changes, and ongoing support. A practical recovery plan may include:
Triggers may include certain people, places, emotions, routines, or situations associated with substance use.
Knowing what you will do before a strong craving appears can make it easier to choose a safer response.
When possible, environmental changes can help decrease impulsive decisions.
A clinician can determine whether medication or another evidence-based treatment may reduce cravings or withdrawal.
Anxiety, depression, trauma-related symptoms, sleep problems, chronic pain, and other conditions can affect substance use and recovery.
Build a craving-management plan that fits your substance, diagnosis, and circumstances.
Book an appointmentThere is no single “3-3-3 rule” or universal trick that reliably treats addiction. Strategies should be individualized to the substance, diagnosis, safety risks, and patient’s circumstances.
One commonly overlooked part of addiction treatment is the relationship between substance use and mental health.
Some people use substances while experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma-related symptoms, insomnia, or other mental health concerns. In other cases, substance use can worsen existing mental health symptoms.
SAMHSA recommends integrated assessment and treatment for people with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders because addressing both conditions can provide more coordinated care.
At Mediversity, addiction care can be coordinated with behavioral health support when appropriate. The goal is to understand the whole clinical picture rather than treating substance use in isolation.
Your first visit is focused on understanding your situation and determining an appropriate next step.
Mediversity’s Addiction Medicine process follows assessment, diagnostic planning when needed, personalized treatment planning, and ongoing follow-up.
Your provider reviews your substance use, medical history, medications, symptoms, previous treatment, recovery attempts, and goals. Be prepared to discuss the substance or substances involved, how often you use them, the last time you used them, and any previous withdrawal symptoms.
Your provider considers factors such as withdrawal risk, overdose history, other medications, physical health conditions, mental health concerns, and previous treatment response.
Depending on your evaluation, treatment may include medication, monitoring, behavioral support, referrals, or a combination of approaches.
Your care plan may be adjusted over time according to symptoms, medication response, recovery progress, and changing needs.
Addiction medicine may be appropriate for adults who are concerned about their alcohol or drug use and want professional evaluation or treatment. It may be particularly relevant if you:
However, not every situation can be safely managed in a routine outpatient appointment. A patient experiencing severe intoxication, an overdose, dangerous withdrawal, significant confusion, seizures, or another emergency may require emergency evaluation or a higher level of care rather than waiting for a routine appointment.
No. A patient may receive one type of care, several types in sequence, or a coordinated combination depending on clinical needs.
Medical treatment for substance use disorders and related health conditions.
Focuses primarily on safely managing withdrawal.
Generally provides a more intensive and structured treatment environment.
If Mediversity determines that a different level of care is more appropriate, referral or coordination may be recommended rather than trying to force every patient into the same treatment model.
Suboxone contains buprenorphine and naloxone and is used to treat opioid use disorder.
Mediversity offers a dedicated Suboxone treatment program as part of its Addiction Medicine services, including medical evaluation, induction, stabilization, medication monitoring, behavioral support referrals, and ongoing follow-up.
Suboxone is not appropriate to start casually or without medical guidance. The timing of the first dose matters because taking buprenorphine too soon after certain opioids can cause precipitated withdrawal.
Treatment duration is individualized, and the decision to continue or taper medication should be made with the treating physician.
Tell your provider about all substances you are using, including alcohol, prescription medications, opioids, benzodiazepines, stimulants, and other drugs. Combining substances can change withdrawal risk, medication safety, and the appropriate treatment plan.
For example, alcohol or benzodiazepine use alongside buprenorphine requires careful clinical evaluation because of increased sedation risk.
Being honest about substance use is not about judgment. It helps your provider make safer clinical decisions.
Insurance coverage varies by health plan, service, medication, and treatment setting.
Coverage and out-of-pocket costs can vary, so we recommend discussing benefits and pricing with the team before starting care. Contact Mediversity with insurance or scheduling questions.
A treatment plan should be based on your clinical needs, not simply on what one insurance plan happens to cover.
Seeking addiction treatment can feel difficult, especially if you have been worried about being judged. The Addiction Medicine program at Mediversity Health is designed around:
Your care begins with understanding your individual health and substance use history.
Medication-assisted treatment and other evidence-based options are considered when clinically appropriate.
Physical health, mental health, substance use, and recovery goals can all influence treatment.
Care is adjusted according to your response and changing needs.
Many patients also have other health needs alongside recovery. Mediversity can coordinate addiction care with primary care and behavioral health when appropriate.
When searching for addiction medicine near me, location matters, but so does access to appropriate medical care. Mediversity provides Addiction Medicine at both of its South Jersey locations, serving patients throughout South Jersey with convenient access for communities around the greater Philadelphia area.
Addiction treatment appointments are not a substitute for emergency medical care.
CDC guidance recommends administering naloxone when available, calling 911, helping the person continue breathing, placing them on their side, and staying with them until emergency help arrives.
Alcohol withdrawal also deserves special attention. After prolonged heavy drinking, suddenly stopping alcohol can cause serious withdrawal and, in some cases, seizures or delirium tremens. Medical evaluation may be necessary.
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department for an emergency. Do not wait for a scheduled addiction medicine appointment.
You do not need to have everything figured out before asking for help. A first appointment can help answer practical questions: What is happening? Is medication appropriate? Is outpatient treatment safe? What should I expect from treatment? Do I need counseling or another level of care?
At Mediversity, the goal is to build a treatment plan around your medical history, substance use, recovery goals, and safety needs.
Questions first? Contact Mediversity or call (856) 740-9777. For emergencies, call 911.
Straight answers about addiction medicine physicians, medications, detox, cravings, Suboxone, and getting care in South Jersey.
An addiction medicine physician is a medical doctor trained to evaluate and treat addiction, substance use disorders, and related medical or psychiatric complications. Addiction medicine encompasses prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and recovery support.
The terms are often used in overlapping ways. An addiction medicine specialist is a physician with specialized training or certification in addiction medicine and the management of substance-related health conditions.
There is no single treatment that is universally the most successful for every person. Evidence-based treatment may involve medication, behavioral therapies, counseling, recovery support, or a combination, depending on the substance and individual clinical needs.
Medication depends on the substance and diagnosis. FDA-approved medications for opioid use disorder include buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone. FDA-approved medications for alcohol use disorder include naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram.
There is no single detox medication. The medication approach depends on the substance and the patient's medical risk. Alcohol withdrawal can require medical monitoring because severe withdrawal may include seizures or delirium tremens. Opioid withdrawal and opioid use disorder are managed differently, and detox alone is not considered adequate treatment for OUD.
Cravings can be addressed through an individualized treatment plan that may include medication, behavioral strategies, counseling, trigger management, and ongoing support. There is no single technique that works for every person.
There is no universally accepted clinical “stage 4” system used to diagnose substance use disorder. Clinicians evaluate substance use according to established diagnostic criteria, severity, symptoms, health effects, and functional impact rather than relying on an internet stage number.
Recovery can be long-term and many people achieve sustained recovery. Some people continue to need medication or ongoing support, especially for chronic substance use disorders. Treatment should be adjusted to the person's needs over time.
No. Physical dependence on a medication is not the same thing as addiction. Buprenorphine is an evidence-based treatment for opioid use disorder and can reduce cravings and withdrawal when used as prescribed and medically monitored. Learn more about Suboxone treatment.
Yes, and identifying both conditions is important. SAMHSA recommends integrated screening and treatment for people with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. Mediversity can coordinate care with behavioral health when appropriate.
There is no fixed number. Follow-up depends on the substance involved, treatment approach, medication needs, progress, medical history, and recovery goals. Visit frequency and treatment duration are individualized.
Yes. Mediversity's Addiction Medicine program is available at its Turnersville and Salem County locations, serving patients throughout South Jersey.
Read more from the Mediversity team on Suboxone, medication-assisted treatment, mental health, and virtual care. Browse all articles on the Mediversity blog.
This page is for general information and does not replace an individual medical evaluation. If you or someone else is in danger, call 911. For free, confidential treatment referral, you can also call the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357.