Called OBOT for short, office-based opioid treatment is a type of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) designed for people seeking recovery from opioid addiction. Opioids include prescription medications such as OxyContin and morphine, as well as heroin and fentanyl. Recovery NOW is a fully licensed OBOT center serving the Nashville, Clarksville, and Ashland City areas.
Recovery NOW provides office-based opioid treatment in Tennessee in a welcoming, professional setting. Our goal is to give you the best possible opportunity for lasting recovery. Our team of recovery professionals is non-judgmental and respectful.
Who Needs Office-Based Opioid Treatment in Tennessee?
The Centers for Disease Control estimates that 75% of the 92,000 overdose deaths that occurred in the U.S. in 2020 were caused by opiates.1 Both prescription and illicit opioid use are at epidemic levels. You are not alone if you or someone you know is struggling with opioid addiction.
Addiction is the inability to quit using a substance despite experiencing negative consequences as a result. It can be challenging for those in the grasp of opioid addiction to recognize those negative consequences or be honest about them because addiction is also a disease of denial. It may be easier to blame other people or circumstances for the negative consequences than to be honest about your own behavior.
Other signs of opioid use include:
- Isolating from family and friends
- Lack of hygiene
- Loss of sex drive/lowered libido
- Uncontrollable cravings for opioids
- Frequently experiencing flu-like symptoms
- Stealing from friends, family members, or your place of employment
- Extreme drowsiness
- Constipation
- Poor memory
- The presence of drug paraphernalia, such as syringes, burnt/bent spoons, or straws cut into small pieces
The number one sign of opioid addiction is having the desire to stop using the substance but not being able to. Office-based opioid treatment in Tennessee can help. Our OBOT clinics are convenient and effective, and treatment does not require daily visits.
Understanding MAT for Opioid Addiction
Medication-assisted treatment involves counseling, behavioral therapies, and medications. At Recovery NOW, we use Suboxone, Vivitrol, Sublocade, Zubsolv, or a combination of these medications to ease opioid withdrawal symptoms and help patients meet their wellness goals. MAT is not just a medication replacement for opioids. MAT is instead considered to be a whole-person approach.
Prescription medications work to normalize and rebalance brain chemistry and relieve both physical and psychological cravings, while counseling therapies provide the interpersonal skills patients need to maintain sobriety long-term.
OBOT is not appropriate for everyone. Each person requires an individual assessment that includes physical and mental health evaluations and an evaluation of the circumstances surrounding their dependence. Fully understanding each patient’s needs ensures they receive an opioid addiction treatment plan that is tailored to their success.
Medications Used at Recovery NOW: Office-Based Opioid Treatment in Tennessee
At Recovery NOW, we view opioid use disorder as a disease, not as an indication of weakness or moral failing. Sometimes medication is an effective tool for treating disease. The medications used in our MAT program are chosen to help eliminate the suffering and danger associated with opioid withdrawal, including reducing the risk of relapse.
Suboxone
The active ingredients in Suboxone are naloxone and buprenorphine. Naloxone blocks the euphoric effects of opioids, which helps eliminate the desire to use them. Buprenorphine is known as a partial opioid agonist and affects the body differently than opioids. It is also used for managing pain. Suboxone is administered in pill form or as a sublingual film.
Vivitrol (naltrexone)
Vivitrol reduces cravings and helps patients resist the urge to relapse. It also blocks the effects of opiates. Vivitrol is administered as an injection or given in pill form.
Sublocade
Sublocade is an extended-release form of buprenorphine that is given as a monthly injection.
Zubsolv
Like the other medications listed above, Zubsolv is a prescription medication used in conjunction with a complete treatment program to treat opioid addiction.
All four medications are prescribed by a Recovery NOW doctor in conjunction with behavioral therapies.
Benefits of MAT for Opioid Addiction
It may seem unusual to use prescription drugs to help people recover from opioid addiction, but MAT has been used successfully since the 1930s. The program has been studied extensively and found to be effective by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and other world-recognized health organizations.
Office-based opioid treatment in Tennessee offers several advantages to those seeking recovery, including:
- Flexibility
- Cost-effective options
- Lower risk of relapse
- Lower risk of drug-related illnesses or death
- Improved overall health due to extended medical support
- Better outcomes for pregnant women and fewer birth-related complications
- Improved treatment retention
The medical assistance provided by OBOT at Recovery NOW helps patients feel better faster. When patients aren’t struggling with the physical and psychological symptoms of withdrawal, they can be more engaged with the behavioral treatments needed to maintain recovery after completing treatment.
Contact Recovery NOW if you or someone you know could benefit from office-based opioid treatment in Tennessee.