What medication-assisted treatment is available near Knoxville, TN?

Within 30 miles of downtown Knoxville, the SAMHSA locator lists 2 federally certified opioid treatment programs, 30 facilities that prescribe buprenorphine, and 30 offering outpatient methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone treatment. Counts change as programs open and close.

Does Tennessee Medicaid cover medications for opioid use disorder?

TennCare covers medically necessary substance use disorder treatment for eligible members, including medications for opioid use disorder when clinically appropriate. Confirm your MCO network and prior auth rules before you admit.

What should I do if someone is overdosing right now?

Call 911 immediately and give naloxone if you have it - naloxone will not harm someone who is not overdosing. If you are in a mental health or substance use crisis, call or text 988, or call or text (800) 653-9376 to speak with a treatment specialist.

Opioid Treatment and MAT in Knoxville, TN

The Knox County Regional Forensic Center reports 334 drug overdose deaths in Knox County in 2024, a 36% drop from 519 in 2023. Tennessee Department of Health vital statistics (resident deaths) count 280 Knox County overdose deaths in 2024 (down 150 from 2023), including 216 involving opioids and 196 involving fentanyl. The Knoxville metro also has a measurable medication-assisted treatment network: buprenorphine prescribers and federally certified opioid treatment programs within 30 miles. This page explains each piece and how to access it.

How bad the opioid problem is here

The Forensic Center notes polypharmacy in 61% of Knox County overdose deaths and lists synthetic opioids, methamphetamine, cocaine, xylazine, and alcohol/ethanol among the most common substances identified.

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) near Knoxville

Medication-assisted treatment - also called medications for opioid use disorder, or MOUD - uses one of three FDA-approved medications alongside counseling. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse:

Methadone is a full opioid agonist that relieves withdrawal and cravings. It is dispensed through certified opioid treatment programs.
Buprenorphine is a partial agonist that reduces cravings and withdrawal, and can be prescribed in a doctor's office.
Naltrexone blocks opioid receptors so opioids no longer produce a high. It can be started only after opioids have cleared the body.

Research is clear that people treated with methadone or buprenorphine are less likely to die or to have an overdose than those who go without treatment.

Within 30 miles of Knoxville (ZIP 37902), the SAMHSA locator lists:

49 treatment facilities total
2 federally certified opioid treatment programs
30 facilities that prescribe buprenorphine
30 offering outpatient methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone treatment

Knoxville and Knox County have outpatient and OTP capacity listed on FindTreatment.gov. Ask about same-week buprenorphine starts and whether the program accepts TennCare or a sliding fee.

Counts change as programs open and close, so confirm current options on the locator.

Naloxone and harm reduction in Knoxville

Naloxone reverses an opioid overdose and cannot hurt someone who is not overdosing. Tennessee pharmacies can dispense naloxone under statewide access rules, and community partners distribute kits. Ask a local pharmacy or public health partner about current free or low-cost options.

If someone is unresponsive, breathing slowly, or has pinpoint pupils, call 911 and give naloxone if you have it.

Paying for opioid treatment

TennCare covers medically necessary substance use disorder treatment for eligible members. Confirm which managed care organization serves your ZIP and whether the OTP or buprenorphine clinic is in network. Tennessee has not expanded Medicaid to all low-income adults under the ACA in the same way some states have, so uninsured adults should also ask about publicly funded slots and sliding-fee clinics. The SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 can discuss payment options.

How to start today

If someone is overdosing, call 911 now and give naloxone. For a crisis, call or text 988.
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.

Search findtreatment.gov with ZIP code 37902 and filter for medication-assisted treatment or buprenorphine.
Ask any program directly whether they can start buprenorphine quickly - same-week starts are common in many metros.

Opioid use disorder is a treatable medical condition, and the medications that treat it are covered here. The hardest part is usually the first call, not the treatment itself.