Opioid Use Disorder Treatment

Compassionate, evidence-based care to support your recovery journey.

What is Opioid Use Disorder?

Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) is a chronic condition from misusing prescription painkillers, heroin, or other opioids like kratom. These substances are very addictive, even when taken as prescribed.

How Opioids Affect the Brain

Opioids flood the brain with dopamine, creating intense pleasure. Over time, the brain stops responding to everyday joys like food or connection.

This change can hurt memory, decision-making, coordination, and even slow your breathing. It also increases the risk of addiction and overdose.

Signs of Opioid Dependence

Needing more to feel the same effect
Withdrawal symptoms when not using
Trying to quit but failing
Ignoring responsibilities due to use

Addiction is a medical condition, not a moral failure. Most people can’t quit opioids with willpower alone. Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) helps reduce cravings and supports long-term recovery.

At Journeys Mental Health, we combine FDA-approved medications with therapy. Our care is kind, judgment-free, and includes loved ones so they can support your recovery.

“Isn’t taking medications just trading one addiction for another?”
No. MAT medications are proven tools in recovery. They are not addictive when used as prescribed and help support long-term healing.

Our Approach to Treatment

We use MAT to combine medications, therapy, and support to help you:

Ease cravings and withdrawal
Prevent relapse
Stay in recovery longer

WE DO NOT PRESCRIBE SUBUTEX

Buprenorphine (Suboxone & Sublocade)

Reduces withdrawal symptoms and cravings
“Ceiling effect” lowers overdose risk
Safe and effective when taken as prescribed

Sublocade is a long-acting injection that maintains steady levels all month — no daily dosing required.

Naltrexone (Vivitrol)

Blocks opioid receptors
Reduces cravings and euphoric effects
Non-addictive, no withdrawal symptoms

Getting Started: Induction

To safely start MAT with Buprenorphine, the opioid of abuse must have started to detach from the receptors. When this process begins, you start experiencing withdrawal symptoms. In other words, you must be feeling very uncomfortable (sick) before you can safely start Buprenorphine. For this reason, we ask that you abstain for 12-24 hours before your initial appointment. This is done strictly for your safety because Buprenorphine attaches to the opioid receptors much strongly than opioids, so it will displace the opioids and speed up your withdrawal by a process called precipitated withdrawal, which causes you to feel very sick, possibly needing to seek medical attention.

Pregnancy and Treatment

Buprenorphine is safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding. In fact, treating OUD during pregnancy is far safer than leaving it unmanaged.