LYNCHBURG (WSLS 10) - One clinic is Lynchburg has seen a significant increase in the number of patients seeking help with opioid addiction. The Lynchburg Treatment Center opened two years ago. Organizers say they are seeing more than 100 patients per day.
"I would have never guessed that this many people have had opioid abuse disorder," said David Cassise, Clinic Director.
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Cassise is the director of the Lynchburg Treatment Center. He says medicated assisted treatment is an effective way to overcome opioid addiction.
"It doesn't produce a high but it does take away the withdrawals and cravings," said Cassise. "Everything just kind of normalizes. Their brain is stable and now we can start working on their behaviors."
Since opening, the staff say they've provided roughly 600 individuals with methadone and other forms of medicine to treat addiction. Cassise says the length of treatment can range from weeks to months depending on the patient's needs.
"Your behaviors aren't going to change overnight it's about getting your life back together," he said.
With the help of counselors at the Lynchburg Treatment Center, Cassise hopes to raise awareness about medicated assisted treatment so more patients can get help.