Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre has opened a Medication Assisted Treatment Addiction Clinic, devoted solely to medication-assisted treatment, which combines medication and behavioral health therapy to treat addiction.

Patients are referred to the clinics by healthcare professionals, or identified by known risk factors for Opioid Use Disorder. They may also refer themselves to the GSWB clinic by calling 570-808-3700.

A specialist determines if they are a candidate for the program. If they are, they will move through a regimen of closely-monitored prescription therapy.

Buprenorphine (Suboxone) or naltrexone (Vivitrol) is used to help suppress withdrawal symptoms and cravings for opioids, and blocks the effects of illicit opioid use. The program is strictly monitored to ensure the appropriate use of prescribed medicines though American Society of Addiction Medicine guidelines including drug screening, pill counts, small prescription amounts and frequent appointments.