Adults in the Hermitage area who have been struggling with addictions to heroin, prescription painkillers, or other opioids will soon have access to a highly effective form of outpatient treatment.

Hermitage Comprehensive Treatment Center (CTC) is set to open March 22, 2021. Located at 589 Stewarts Ferry Pike, Hermitage, Tenn., the center will provide medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for adults age 18 and older.

"It is our hope that by opening Hermitage CTC, we can play an important role in ending the opioid epidemic in our community," said Clinic Director Dustin Alvanas. "We'll be providing a range of customized services to promote recovery from opioid addiction. We want every patient to know that Hermitage CTC is a place to find judgment-free support."

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) are among the many respected organizations that recommend MAT as a safe and effective means of achieving recovery from opioid addiction.

Outpatient MAT at Hermitage CTC will incorporate medication and counseling.

Following a thorough assessment and a consultation with one of the center's doctors, patients at Hermitage CTC may receive a prescription for methadone, buprenorphine, or Suboxone. When used as directed within the context of a licensed MAT program, these medications allow people to end their opioid abuse without experiencing the powerful cravings and painful withdrawal symptoms that would otherwise occur.

In addition to receiving medication, Hermitage CTC patients will also participate in individual and group counseling. These sessions can help patients identify and address the many factors that may have contributed to their opioid abuse and other self-defeating behaviors. During counseling, patients can begin to develop the skills and strategies that will empower them to achieve successful long-term recovery from opioid addiction.