Opioids are naturally found in the opium poppy plant. Some opioid medications are made from this plant, while others are made in laboratories. Opioids have been used for hundreds of years to treat pain, cough, and diarrhea. Opioids include the illegal drug heroin, human-made opioids such as fentanyl, and pain relievers like Vicodin®, Percocet®, and OxyContin®.

In the short term, opioids can make some people feel relaxed and happy. But they can also cause more harmful effects like extreme sleepiness, confusion, nausea, vomiting, and constipation. Over time, opioids can lead to insomnia, muscle pain, heart infections, pneumonia, and addiction. Opioids can also lead to overdose and death.

In our medication-assisted opioid treatment program, we'll use FDA-approved medications to reduce withdrawal symptoms as you stop using opioids. We'll combine medication-assisted treatment, frequently called MAT, with counseling and behavioral therapies to provide a patient-centered approach to treatment. To find out more, consult our team right away.