Opioid Use Disorder Treatment
Opioid Agonist Treatment (OAT) is also known as medication-assisted treatment. It involves the use of prescribed medications such as Suboxone® or methadone to treat opioid addiction to decrease withdrawal and help with cravings.
- Opioid agonist treatment is evidence-based, recommended treatment for opioid use disorder.
- OAT is the best predictor of improved outcomes for people with opioid addiction.
Opioid dependence treatment is available to you and your family. Research and experience tells us that most people cannot just walk away from opioid addiction. Medication-assisted treatment can help individuals to ‘feel normal again’ and live healthy lives by controlling withdrawal and cravings. Suboxone or methadone is started and maintained under medical supervision. Counselling, education, other supports and follow-up are also important and available.
Services available may include:
- ongoing support and monitoring (e.g. prescription management, medical follow up, urine testing, counselling and treatment planning)
- health, safety and risk reduction teaching and management
- links to community pharmacists
- links to other addictions treatment services
- links to social and health supports
Services are voluntary and confidential.
Where can I get help?
- Contact the provincial Opioid Dependence Treatment (ODT) phone line at toll-free 1-844-752-3588 from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This line is to help individuals navigate the system and connect with support and services. This line is for those seeking support for their opiate use, for family members, and for health-care providers. Video Relay Service (VRS) calls are welcome.
- As a part of Towards Recovery: The Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador, a provincial Hub and Spoke model for Opioid Dependence Treatment (ODT) was developed and implemented across our province. The goal is to deliver rapid access to evidence-informed, comprehensive and coordinated ODT services throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. You can contact the regional ODT Hubs. These hubs provide rapid access to treatment, including Suboxone and Methadone, and are also available to support community-based physicians, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, and counsellors.
St. John’s
Building 532
80 Charter Avenue (Pleasantville)
(709) 752-4478
Gander
McCurdy Complex
1 Markham Place
(709) 256-1356
Corner Brook
35 Boones Road
(709) 634-4506
Stephenville
127 Montana Drive
(709) 643-8740
Happy Valley-Goose Bay
227 Hamilton River Rd
(709) 897-2125
Provincial Opioid Dependence Treatment Centre of Excellence
- The Hub and Spoke model also included the establishment of a Provincial ODT Centre of Excellence. The Centre of Excellence is located in Eastern Health and is provincial in scope and mandate. The Manager can be reached at email: Wayne.Bishop@easternhealth.ca
Family Physicians and Nurse Practitioners:
Many physicians and nurse practitioners can prescribe medication-assisted treatment (Suboxone or methadone) and they are located throughout the province. Counsellors are also available. Feel free to discuss any opioid-related concerns with your healthcare provider.
- If you do not have a physician or healthcare provider, please call 811 and a HealthLine nurse will give you contact information for your area.
To learn more about treatment:
Opioid Dependence and Drug Use
Take Home Naloxone Kits
Call 911 right away if you think that someone is having an overdose.
- Naloxone is a temporary medication that can save a life in the event of a fentanyl or other opioid overdose.
- Naloxone Kits and instruction are free.
Get a Kit
If you are at risk of an opioid overdose or you might witness an overdose, please find a Naloxone Kit near you:
- Call 811 and a Healthline nurse will provide you with a contact number and location.
- Click on the MAP of Distribution Sites.
- Click here for a list: http://www.health.gov.nl.ca/health/naloxonekits/
To learn more:
Opioid Overdose Toolkit, Government of Canada:
https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/substance-use/problematic-prescription-drug-use/opioids/resources-toolkit.html
Opioids and the Health Risks – Government of Canada information and resources