An estimated 2,000+ people live with opioid use disorder in the region. Until now, many had to travel long distances to access treatment.
July 8, 2026 — Bristol, Va. — For the first time in the history of Southwest Virginia, people living with opioid use disorder have access to gold-standard methadone treatment close to home. Cedar Recovery’s Bristol Opioid Treatment Program (OTP), the first of its kind in the region, is serving patients across the Tri-Cities area and surrounding counties, and its early results tell a powerful story about the depth of a need that had long gone unmet.
Before Cedar Recovery opened, the nearest OTP required a more than 60-minute round-trip drive into Tennessee, or a two-hour round-trip for patients looking to stay in Virginia—a barrier that eliminated consistent treatment as a realistic option for most patients in this community. Many simply went without. The stats are telling:
- Bristol City’s Medicare population has an OUD rate of 5.46%, nearly double the national average of 3%. Scott County’s rate is approximately 10%, more than three times the national average.
- 2022 data from the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services shows that opioid overdose rates in Washington and Smyth Counties are among the highest in the state.
- The 2024 Mount Rogers Health District Community Health Assessment (a segment of the Virginia Department of Health) ranked substance use disorder the No. 3 problem impacting the community (cited by 53.5% of respondents).
- Per the Tennessee Department of Health, fentanyl was involved in two out of every three overdose deaths in 2024; the state has the 8th highest overdose rate in the US.
- An estimated 2,000+ people in the region are living with opioid use disorder.
“The need is not theoretical. It’s documented,” said Laurie Street, Cedar Recovery’s Bristol Program Director. “And yet until now, not a single OTP existed in this part of Virginia.”
The Community Response Has Been Immediate
Since opening, the clinic has grown rapidly, with the number of patients increasing 39% in June to 97. Its 30-day patient retention rate stands at 89%, exceptional in a field where early dropout is among the greatest clinical challenges.
“The need was always here,” Street said. “People were just waiting for someone to show up.”
Cedar Recovery’s model is further validated by its Knoxville, Tennessee OTP, which opened in April 2025. In under 14 months, Knoxville has served 730 patients in total and grown its staff from 9 to 33: a 267% increase driven entirely by community demand.
“More Than a Dose”: Whole-Person Care
Our “More Than a Dose” philosophy means methadone is the foundation, not the ceiling. Each patient receives individual counseling, medical care, transportation navigation, and employment support; Hepatitis C treatment is also available. The clinic accepts walk-in patients, offers same-day intake, carries no waiting list, and accepts Medicaid and most insurance. The program’s early success is reflected in how quickly most patients stabilize and earn eligibility for take-home doses.
“Within a month, most of my clients are finally able to function,” said staff counselor Alena Oliver. “Their days are no longer spent sick or trying to secure drugs. They have time to get a job, get their license back, spend time with their families. Treatment provides a foundation of stability that benefits the patient, their family, and the larger community.”
A New OTP, a New Opportunity to Dispel Methadone Myths
Cedar Recovery’s arrival is not only a clinical milestone; it is a chance to reframe the conversation around addiction treatment in the region. Opioid use disorder is a chronic brain disease, not a moral failure or a character flaw, and deserves the same compassion and evidence-based treatment as any other medical condition. Methadone is a long-acting, FDA-approved medication that stabilizes brain chemistry disrupted by opioid use disorder. Patients on an appropriate dose do not get high; they get stable.
Methadone treatment has been proven to reduce overdose deaths, decrease criminal activity, improve employment outcomes, and stabilize families. The evidence spans decades. Seeking treatment is an act of courage. Cedar Recovery exists to meet that courage with world-class care.
About Cedar Recovery
Cedar Recovery provides accessible outpatient addiction treatment through 13 locations across Tennessee and Southwest Virginia; a Mobile Unit serving rural communities; and Studio Health, our telehealth platform for Tennesseans who do not live near an office. At Cedar Recovery, we believe in meeting people where they are—no matter what. Our mission is to solve the opioid crisis and repair our communities by providing addiction treatment that works. Our evidence-based approach combines Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), behavioral therapy, and individualized treatment plans, providing individuals the best chance at long-term recovery. For more information, visit www.CedarRecovery.com.
