New approach to opioid addiction


Opioid addiction has become a national health crisis and Chicago hasn't been spared from the epidemic. Now, there's a new option in Cook County for those battling addiction.

In 2016, more than 63,000 fatal overdoses were liked to opioids according to the CDC. The Cook County Health and Hospitals System is offering a new and revolutionary alternative to detox and wipe out drug cravings.

The medication is called Suboxone and it’s just one part of the new addiction treatment plan. The treatment itself is known as medication-assisted treatment using prescriptions with therapy and counseling.

One Cook County Health and Hospital System doctor tells the Sun-Times it's the most evidence-based treatment for opioid use disorder. A person would take the medication and have to attend regular counseling appointments with a doctor and a recovery coach.