Opioid Treatment and MAT in Chattanooga, TN

Chattanooga has methadone OTPs, office-based buprenorphine, and public doors that can point to detox and MOUD. Opioid care here should start with medication access, not a marketing tour.

How bad the opioid problem is here

Hamilton County's Hamilton Counted 2024 Year-End Report lists 169 fatal overdoses in the county (about 44 per 100,000). Fatal overdoses fell 18% countywide and 33% inside Chattanooga versus 2023, the second straight year of decline and the lowest level since 2020 in that report.

Medication options near Chattanooga

Within 30 miles of downtown Chattanooga (ZIP 37402), the SAMHSA treatment locator currently lists:

  • 7 federally certified opioid treatment programs (OTPs)
  • 15 facilities that prescribe buprenorphine
  • 25 offering outpatient methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone treatment
  • 8 facilities offering detoxification and 33 substance use facilities overall

Tennessee REDLINE (1-800-889-9789) and Hamilton County / Chattanooga publicly funded partners are primary public-network doors. Counts change as programs open and close.

Why medication matters for opioid use disorder

Medications for opioid use disorder (methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone when clinically appropriate) reduce overdose risk and support retention in care. Opioid withdrawal is miserable and dehydrating, but the bigger danger is losing tolerance and overdosing after a pause. Do not try to "tough out" fentanyl withdrawal without a plan for medication and naloxone.

If someone is overdosing - slow or stopped breathing, blue lips, unresponsive - call 911 and give naloxone if you have it. For a mental health or substance use crisis, call or text 988.

Paying for opioid treatment in Chattanooga

TennCare covers medically necessary MOUD and related SUD care through participating providers when you are eligible. Ask specifically about OTP methadone, office-based buprenorphine, injectable options, and prior authorization. If you are uninsured, ask Tennessee REDLINE (1-800-889-9789) and Hamilton County / Chattanooga publicly funded partners about sliding-fee and publicly funded pathways.

How to start today

  1. If someone is overdosing, call 911 and give naloxone. For a crisis, call or text 988.
  2. Call or text (800) 653-9376 to speak with a treatment specialist, or use this form:

Calling is free; the referral service is paid for by treatment providers, and we check your benefits before you commit.

  1. Search findtreatment.gov with ZIP code 37402 and filter for opioid treatment programs or buprenorphine.
  2. Ask any program whether same-week medication induction is available and whether they help with naloxone.

Opioid use disorder is treatable with medication and support. The first call is usually harder than the clinical start.

Call or text (800) 653-9376 Get help online