Opioid Use Disorder Is a Medical Condition. It's Treatable.
Outpatient medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for adults with opioid use disorder — whether prescription painkillers, heroin, fentanyl, or any combination. Evidence-based care across East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. Same-day appointments. No judgment.
MAT Available
FDA-approved medications
Outpatient Care
Live your life while you recover
No Judgment
Same-day appointments
Telehealth Available
Across TN & VA
⚠️ The Opioid Crisis Has Changed. The Supply Has Changed.
The American opioid crisis killed more than 80,000 people in 2023 alone. Today, almost every illicitly obtained opioid — heroin, counterfeit prescription pills, "pressies" — is contaminated with or replaced by fentanyl. According to the CDC, illicitly manufactured fentanyl is responsible for the majority of opioid overdose deaths. What people are using today is not the same drug it was even a few years ago.
If you or someone you know uses opioids outside of a prescription: Carry naloxone (Narcan). Use fentanyl test strips when available. Never use alone. If you witness an overdose, call 911 immediately — Tennessee and Virginia Good Samaritan laws protect callers from prosecution.
You're Not a Statistic. You're a Person With a Treatable Condition.
Maybe it started with a prescription after an injury, a surgery, a chronic pain condition. Maybe it started with a friend's pills, a curiosity, a way to cope with something else. Maybe you've been on this road for months. Maybe years. However it started, you didn't choose to develop a medical condition. Opioid use disorder isn't a moral failing — it's a documented brain disease that millions of Americans are fighting alongside you.
Maybe you've tried to quit before. Maybe many times. Maybe you've watched people you love struggle, recover, relapse, struggle again. Maybe you're terrified of withdrawal. Maybe you're terrified of the supply — what's actually in those pills now, whether the next bag could kill you. Maybe you're just exhausted and ready for something different.
At Emmaus, we won't lecture you. We won't make you "earn" treatment by proving you've tried everything else. We meet you where you are, today. Opioid use disorder is one of the most treatable substance use disorders we work with — because FDA-approved medications combined with counseling work. Most patients are surprised by how quickly they start feeling like themselves again.
Signs of Opioid Use Disorder
Opioid use disorder can develop quickly — whether you're taking a prescription, using street drugs, or both. Here are the patterns to watch for in yourself or someone you love.
- Taking more than prescribed, or for longer than intended
- Needing more to get the same effect (tolerance)
- Severe withdrawal symptoms when not using
- Strong cravings between doses
- Doctor-shopping or seeking prescriptions from multiple providers
- Buying pills, heroin, or other opioids outside of prescriptions
- Continuing to use despite negative consequences
- Hiding use from family, friends, or doctors
- Loss of interest in activities, relationships, or responsibilities
- Drowsiness, "nodding off" at inappropriate times
- Mixing with alcohol, benzodiazepines, or other substances
- Failed attempts to cut back or quit
What Opioid Withdrawal Feels Like
Opioid withdrawal is intensely uncomfortable but rarely life-threatening on its own — though dehydration and other complications can become serious. With FDA-approved medications, the worst of it can be avoided entirely.
Acute opioid withdrawal typically begins 8-24 hours (depending on the specific opioid) after the last use, peaks at 24-72 hours, and subsides over 5-10 days. However, post-acute symptoms (cravings, depression, sleep issues) can last weeks or months. This is exactly why MAT works so well — FDA-approved medications can eliminate most withdrawal symptoms and dramatically reduce cravings, giving you the breathing room to focus on actual recovery work instead of just surviving day to day.
💪 Physical Symptoms
Muscle aches, severe cramping, sweating, chills, runny nose, watery eyes, goosebumps, restless legs. The body feels like it's coming apart.
🤢 Stomach Issues
Severe nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps. Dehydration is a real risk and one of the few ways opioid withdrawal can become dangerous.
😰 Anxiety & Restlessness
Intense agitation, panic, inability to sit still or sleep. Many people describe it as feeling crawling out of their own skin.
🎯 Cravings
Overwhelming, intrusive cravings that peak at 48-72 hours but can return strongly for months. This is what drives relapse for most people quitting alone.
😔 Depression
Profound sadness, hopelessness, anhedonia. Heroin floods the brain with dopamine; withdrawal often feels like the opposite.
😴 Sleep Disruption
Insomnia is severe and can persist for weeks. Some people describe it as the hardest symptom to endure long-term.
How We Treat Opioid Use Disorder
Our approach combines FDA-approved medications with counseling and ongoing support — all in an outpatient setting so you can rebuild your life while you recover.
Comprehensive Assessment
We evaluate your use history, current dose, health, and goals to determine the right starting point — including whether you need supervised detox first or can start with us directly.
Medication-Assisted Treatment
FDA-approved medications dramatically reduce cravings and eliminate most withdrawal symptoms. This is the most effective evidence-based treatment for opioid use disorder.
Counseling & Behavioral Therapy
Medication alone isn't enough. Individual and group counseling help you address the why, build coping skills, repair relationships, and create a sustainable recovery.
Long-Term Support
Opioid recovery isn't a 30-day fix. We stay with you for as long as you need — months, years, however long supports your stability.
💊 Why MAT Is the Gold Standard for Opioid Recovery
Unlike many other substances, opioid use disorder has highly effective FDA-approved medications that can dramatically reduce cravings, prevent withdrawal symptoms, and block the high if you were to use again. According to SAMHSA, medication-assisted treatment significantly improves survival, retention in treatment, and quality of life outcomes.
MAT is recognized as the gold standard by the FDA, NIDA, ASAM, and the World Health Organization. Read more about our MAT program at Emmaus →
🏥 If You Need Medical Detox First, We Can Help You Get There
Emmaus is an outpatient clinic — we don't provide medically supervised detox ourselves. However, many opioid patients benefit from starting in a detox facility, especially for severe or long-term use. We work with trusted detox partners who provide the medical monitoring needed during the most acute phase of withdrawal.
If you're unsure whether you need detox first, just call us. We'll talk through your situation honestly and help you figure out the right next step — whether that's starting MAT directly with us or starting with a detox referral, then continuing your recovery here.
Who We Help
Opioid use disorder affects every demographic. Here are the most common patient situations we see.
💊 Prescription Opioid Patients
Started with a legitimate prescription for oxycodone, hydrocodone, or similar pain medications. Dependence developed even when taking exactly what was prescribed.
📈 Pills-to-Heroin Pipeline
Started with prescription opioids after an injury or surgery. When prescriptions ran out, heroin or street pills became the alternative.
🔄 Multiple Recovery Attempts
You've tried before — maybe many times. That's not failure. Most lasting opioid recoveries happen after multiple attempts. We don't give up on patients who relapse.
👨👩👧 Family Members Calling for Loved Ones
Many of our first calls come from a parent, spouse, or sibling. We'll help you figure out the next step, even if your loved one isn't ready yet.
Why Choose Emmaus for Opioid Recovery?
Our outpatient approach combines proven medical care with the kind of relationship that helps people actually stick with recovery.
⚡ Same-Day Appointments
The window of "I'm ready" can be short. We don't make you wait. Most patients can start within 24 hours of reaching out.
🏠 Outpatient Means Real Life
Keep your job, your home, your family, your privacy. No 30-day residential stay. Rebuild your life while you recover.
🤝 No Judgment, Ever
You won't be lectured or shamed. We've treated thousands of patients — there's nothing you can tell us that we haven't heard before.
🧠 Co-Occurring Mental Health
Most opioid patients have underlying chronic pain, trauma, depression, or anxiety. We treat both at once — because that's how recovery actually sticks.
💳 Affordable Care
Medicare, Medicaid, TennCare, and most major insurance accepted. Free benefits verification available.
💻 Telehealth Available
Don't live near our clinics? Virtual visits across TN and VA — same care, no driving.
What Our Patients Say
Real stories from real patients walking the road of recovery with Emmaus.
By far the best place I've been to in 10 years. Emmaus has been a positive change for me. I'm treated like I matter — everyone here is nice and caring. I love that it's a non-judgmental place.
My husband had tried two other programs. What's different about Emmaus is that they didn't give up when he relapsed. They just adjusted the plan. He's been stable for over a year now.
This place is a true life saver. Their professional advice has even saved me from myself. The staff will do anything they can for you, and the doctor and entire team sincerely cares about making your quality of life the best.
Opioid Treatment Across the Tri-Cities Region
Our opioid use disorder treatment is available at all three Emmaus clinic locations and via virtual telehealth — covering communities across East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia.
📍 Johnson City, TN
Opioid use disorder treatment available at our Johnson City clinic on Old Gray Station Road.
📍 Kingsport, TN
Most Kingsport patients access opioid treatment at our Weber City clinic across the state line.
📍 Bristol, TN/VA
Bristol residents have two convenient options for opioid treatment based on travel preference.
📍 Elizabethton, TN
Carter County residents access opioid treatment through our Johnson City clinic.
📍 Greeneville, TN
Greene County residents use our Bulls Gap clinic on Highway 11E for opioid care.
📍 Morristown, TN
Our Bulls Gap location serves many Hamblen County residents seeking opioid recovery.
📍 Erwin, TN
Unicoi County residents access opioid treatment through our Johnson City clinic.
📍 Gray, TN
Gray is one of our closest service areas — just minutes from our Johnson City clinic.
📍 Jonesborough, TN
Tennessee's oldest town is just minutes from our Johnson City opioid treatment services.
📍 Rogersville, TN
Hawkins County residents in Rogersville find our Bulls Gap clinic conveniently located.
📍 Mosheim, TN
Mosheim residents have one of the shortest commutes to opioid treatment in our area.
📍 Bloomingdale, TN
Sullivan County's Bloomingdale community is well-served by our Weber City clinic.
📍 Mt. Carmel, TN
Mt. Carmel patients have convenient access to our Weber City clinic for opioid care.
📍 Weber City, VA
The heart of our Southwest Virginia opioid treatment services — centrally located.
📍 Gate City, VA
Scott County residents in Gate City are minutes from our Weber City opioid clinic.
📍 Big Stone Gap, VA
Wise County patients often combine in-person visits with telehealth for ongoing opioid care.
Frequently Asked Questions About Opioid Treatment
If you don't see your question here, just contact us — we're happy to talk through anything.
What is opioid use disorder?
Do you treat opioid use disorder with medication?
What about fentanyl in the opioid supply?
How long does opioid withdrawal last?
Is opioid withdrawal dangerous?
Do I need detox before starting MAT?
I've relapsed before. Will this time be different?
How long will I be on MAT?
Will my insurance cover opioid treatment?
How much does treatment cost without insurance?
Will my employer or family find out?
How quickly can I start?
Authoritative Resources on Opioid Use Disorder
For deeper research from federal agencies and professional medical organizations, these are the trusted sources we reference in our clinical practice.
Opioid Research
National Institute on Drug Abuse research on opioid use disorder and treatment.
Medications for OUD
Federal substance abuse authority on MAT effectiveness and access.
Overdose Prevention
Centers for Disease Control data on opioid overdoses and the fentanyl crisis.
About MAT
FDA information on Medication-Assisted Treatment for opioid use disorder.
Addiction Medicine
American Society of Addiction Medicine — clinical guidelines our practice follows.
Crisis Support
If you're in crisis, call or text 988 anytime. Free, confidential, 24/7.
Take the First Step Toward Recovery
Whether you're seeking help for yourself or someone you love, we'll listen. No pressure, no judgment, no obligation.
You're Still Here. That Matters.
If you've made it to this page, something in you is fighting for a different future. That's enough. You don't need to figure it all out — just reach out. We'll take it from there, one step at a time.
Confidential • Evidence-Based • Outpatient • Since 2006
Our Locations
Bulls Gap, TN
Tel
423-393-4146
Address
273 Hwy. 11E Suite E
Bulls Gap, TN 37711
Fax
423-393-4377
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Johnson City, TN
Tel
423-202-3008
Address
1730 Old Gray Station Rd
Johnson City, TN 37615
Fax
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