You Don't Have to Fight This Alone.
Outpatient medication-assisted treatment and counseling for opioid use disorder — including prescription painkillers, heroin, and fentanyl. Real medical care, real results, no judgment.
FDA-Approved Care
Evidence-based MAT
Outpatient
Live at home, keep working
Same-Day Help
Often start within 24 hrs
Since 2006
Nearly 20 years of care
⚠️ If You or a Loved One Is Overdosing
Call 911 immediately. If you have naloxone (Narcan), administer it. Stay with the person until help arrives — naloxone can wear off and overdose symptoms can return.
If you're in crisis but not in immediate danger, call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. We're here for the rest of the journey — long-term recovery support, medication-assisted treatment, and the chance to rebuild your life.
You're Not a Bad Person. You Have a Medical Condition.
If you're reading this, you've probably tried to stop more than once. Maybe you've made it through withdrawal only to relapse. Maybe you've watched friends die. Maybe you're terrified of what's in the supply now. Maybe you're functioning at work and nobody knows. Whatever your situation, you're welcome here.
Opioid use disorder is one of the most studied medical conditions in addiction medicine. It changes how the brain works, which is why willpower alone almost never works. That's not a moral failing — it's biology. And it's exactly why medical treatment exists and is effective.
At Emmaus, we've been helping people recover from opioid use disorder since 2006. Some of our patients started with prescription painkillers after surgery. Some started with street drugs. Some are seeing us after their third or fourth attempt at recovery. All are welcome. None are judged.
Signs You May Need Help
You don't need to be at "rock bottom" to reach out. Earlier intervention almost always means easier recovery — and more of your life intact.
- Taking more or longer than prescribed
- Strong cravings or constant thoughts about use
- Needing more to get the same effect (tolerance)
- Withdrawal symptoms when not using
- Failed attempts to stop on your own
- Hiding use from family, friends, or coworkers
- Using to manage pain that was never properly addressed
- Spending significant money on drugs
- Continued use despite problems with work, family, or health
- Using street supply because prescriptions ran out
- Increasing fear about what's actually in your supply
- Loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy
What Opioid Withdrawal Feels Like
One of the biggest reasons people don't seek treatment is fear of withdrawal. Knowing what to expect — and that medical support can ease it significantly — makes the process more manageable.
Withdrawal symptoms typically begin within 8-24 hours of last use, peak at 2-3 days, and gradually improve over 5-10 days. Lingering symptoms (low mood, sleep issues, occasional cravings) may persist for weeks. Trying to detox alone is one of the leading causes of relapse — not because people lack willpower, but because withdrawal is genuinely difficult to endure without support. With medication-assisted treatment, withdrawal becomes significantly more manageable.
💪 Physical Symptoms
Muscle aches, restless legs, sweating, chills, runny nose, watery eyes, yawning, dilated pupils, goosebumps, and full-body discomfort.
🤢 GI Symptoms
Severe nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, loss of appetite — often leading to dehydration if not managed.
😰 Emotional Symptoms
Intense anxiety, depression, irritability, mood swings, restlessness, and feelings of hopelessness that peak during the acute phase.
😴 Sleep Problems
Insomnia is one of the most persistent symptoms — vivid dreams, restless sleep, and fatigue can last for weeks after acute withdrawal ends.
🧠 Intense Cravings
Powerful, intrusive urges to use that peak around days 2-3 and gradually diminish. This is where MAT makes the biggest difference.
💊 Medical Help
MAT can dramatically reduce withdrawal severity and cravings. You don't have to white-knuckle this. Medical support is available — same day, in most cases.
How We Treat Opioid Use Disorder
Our treatment combines medical care, counseling, and ongoing support — all in an outpatient setting so you can continue your life while you recover.
Comprehensive Assessment
We evaluate your use history, withdrawal status, health, and goals to determine the right approach — and to ensure outpatient care is medically appropriate for you.
Medication-Assisted Treatment
FDA-approved medications reduce cravings, ease withdrawal, and lower overdose risk. MAT is the gold standard for opioid use disorder — recommended by the FDA, SAMHSA, and major medical organizations.
Counseling & Therapy
Individual and group therapy that addresses the underlying causes — pain, trauma, mental health, family, or whatever's contributing to use. Lasting recovery requires more than medication alone.
Ongoing Long-Term Support
Opioid use disorder is a chronic medical condition that benefits from chronic care. We stay with you for the long haul — adjusting your plan as life evolves.
Why Choose Emmaus for Opioid Recovery?
We've been treating opioid use disorder since 2006. Here's what makes us different from other clinics in the Tri-Cities region.
🤝 No Judgment, Ever
You won't be lectured. You won't be shamed. Whatever brought you here, you're welcome. Opioid use disorder is a medical issue — period.
🏠 Outpatient Means Real Life
Keep your job, your home, your routines, your privacy. No 30-day residential stay. No leaving your family.
🛤️ We Don't Give Up
Relapse isn't failure — it's information. When patients stumble, we adjust the plan. We've helped people other clinics gave up on.
🙏 Faith-Supported, Not Forced
Faith informs our compassion, not our requirements. We respect every patient's background and beliefs.
💳 Affordable Care
Medicare, Medicaid, TennCare, and most major insurance accepted. Self-pay rates start at $150 for your intake visit.
💻 Virtual Visits Available
Don't live near our clinics? Telehealth options across Tennessee and Virginia — same care, no driving.
What Our Patients Say
Real stories from real people in recovery. These reviews come from patients who chose Emmaus for their opioid recovery journey.
This place is a true life saver. Their professional advice has even saved me from myself. I can honestly say the staff will do anything they can for you and they have lots of resources. When I reach out for assistance they always fit me in immediately and never leave me hanging. The Doctor and entire team sincerely cares about making your quality of life the best.
Dr. Backus and his staff are amazing people. They care about their patients and want to see you do good so you can feel normal again. They have helped me in so many ways and I am very happy and thankful for them all at Emmaus Medical and Counseling.
Good place to get the kind of treatment you need with counseling. I really like Taylor and Judy — they are very good people. Hands down, this is excellent outpatient treatment.
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, accessible from I-26.
📍 Kingsport, TN
Most Kingsport patients receive opioid care at our Weber City clinic — minutes across the state line — or via telehealth.
📍 Bristol, TN/VA
Bristol residents have two convenient options for opioid treatment based on which side of town they prefer.
📍 Elizabethton, TN
Carter County residents access opioid treatment through our Johnson City clinic, a short drive away.
📍 Greeneville, TN
Greene County residents typically use our Bulls Gap clinic on Highway 11E for opioid treatment services.
📍 Morristown, TN
Our Bulls Gap location serves many Hamblen County residents seeking opioid recovery care.
📍 Erwin, TN
Unicoi County residents access opioid care through our Johnson City clinic — a short drive up the road.
📍 Gray, TN
Gray is one of our closest opioid treatment 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 opioid clinic convenient along Highway 11E.
📍 Mosheim, TN
Mosheim residents have one of the shortest commutes to opioid treatment in our service area.
📍 Bloomingdale, TN
Sullivan County's Bloomingdale community is well-served by our Weber City opioid 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 — accessible, welcoming, centrally located.
📍 Gate City, VA
Scott County residents in Gate City are just 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 call us — we're happy to talk through anything.
What is opioid use disorder?
How quickly can I start treatment?
What is Medication-Assisted Treatment?
Is MAT just replacing one drug with another?
How long will I be on MAT?
What if I started with prescription painkillers for legitimate pain?
What about fentanyl specifically?
Will my insurance cover opioid treatment?
How much does opioid treatment cost without insurance?
Will my employer find out I'm in treatment?
I've relapsed before. Will I be turned away?
Can I do this while continuing to work?
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. The hardest step is reaching out — the rest is easier than you expect.
Recovery Is Possible. We've Seen It Since 2006.
You don't have to figure this out alone. You don't have to have it all together before you call. You don't have to be sure. Just reach out — we'll take it from there.
Confidential • Evidence-Based • Outpatient • No Judgment
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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