Morristown, located in Hamblen County, Tennessee, struggles with rising rates of substance use particularly opioids, methamphetamine, and alcohol. Access to structured addiction care, therapy, and Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) is essential but limited locally. Hopkins Medical Association (HMA), with its Morristown location and broader Appalachian service network, delivers coordinated, evidence-based treatment to address these challenges.
Community Context: Substance Use in Morristown
Morristown faces significant substance use concerns in line with broader Appalachian trends:
- Increased opioid misuse fueled by prescription painkillers transitioning to heroin and fentanyl.
- Methamphetamine and alcohol use remain persistent, with combined drug issues complicating treatment outcomes.
- Social, economic, and geographic factors—such as rural isolation and transportation barriers amplify the need for accessible and flexible treatment options.
HMA’s mission addresses these local concerns through targeted addiction therapy, MAT, and continuum of care services.
HMA’s Substance Use Services in Morristown
Hopkins Medical offers a fully integrated care model from its Morristown facility (3955 W Andrew Johnson Hwy, Morristown, TN)
Comprehensive Care Includes:
- Structured Substance Use Assessments
- Individual and Group Therapy
- Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
- Behavioral Health Integration
- Telehealth and Remote Care
- Psychiatric Medication Oversight for Co-occurring Disorders
- Referrals to Community Services
This unified approach ensures clients receive MAT in conjunction with ongoing therapy and psychiatric support, promoting sustainable recovery.
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
MAT is a cornerstone of HMA’s substance use therapy, particularly critical in addressing opioid dependence.
Key Aspects of MAT:
- Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone) and other FDA-approved options for medication stabilization and withdrawal.
- Prescribed and monitored by qualified psychiatric providers and PMHNPs at the Morristown clinic.
- MAT is combined with psychosocial support, education, and relapse prevention strategies.
MAT helps manage cravings, reduce overdose risk, and create a foundation for deeper behavioral health work.
Role of Therapy in Addiction Recovery
At HMA, therapy plays a central role in treating addiction as a complex brain and behavioral disorders.
Individual Therapy
Tailored sessions address:
- Trauma and PTSD
- Co-occurring mental health disorders
- Grief and loss
- Relapse prevention
- Stress, coping strategies, and self-esteem building
Group Therapy
Structured weekly groups focus on:
- Relapse prevention
- Life skill development
- Boundary-setting
- Emotional regulation
- Mutual support
Group therapy reduces social isolation and builds accountability and community—crucial in rural settings.
Co-Occurring Disorders: Integrated Treatment
Many clients contend with simultaneous mental health and substance use disorders. HMA addresses this through integrated care:
- Both psychiatric medications (antidepressants, mood stabilizers) and MAT (like Suboxone) are managed under a unified treatment plan.
- Therapy sessions incorporate relapse prevention alongside coping strategies for mental illness.
- Patients are fully stabilized, with medication and support coordinated across specialists.
This dual framework supports better outcomes and higher treatment retention.
HMA Clinicians & Clinic Profile in Morristown
The local HMA office is staffed by a multidisciplinary team:
- Psychiatrists, PMHNPs, therapists, and addiction specialists
- Addiction-certified providers who offer both MAT and behavioral therapy
- Coordination with HMA’s addiction medicine teams.
Their holistic model addresses physical, psychological, and social dimensions of addiction.
Telehealth and Remote Care
HMA leverages telehealth to bridge geographic gaps for Morristown-area clients .
Telehealth enables:
- Counseling for rural or transportation-limited patients
- Follow-up appointments for MAT
- Flexibility for clients unable to visit the clinic daily
- Consistent engagement during early or remote recovery phases
Telehealth enhances continuity and minimizes dropout due to travel constraints.
Referral Support and Community Connectivity
HMA provides referrals to address social determinants impacting recovery—housing, food support, employment, transportation, and legal assistance.
While not traditional case managers, HMA guides clients to local and regional relief services to support their recovery journey.
Coverage and Accessibility
- The Morristown clinic accepts most major insurers, Medicaid, and Medicare.
- Payment options include insurance, cash, and flexible arrangements.
- Located on a major thoroughfare, ensuring easy access to the Morristown community .
- Offers convenient appointment scheduling for intake, therapy, and MAT services.
Advantages of Choosing HMA in Morristown
- Comprehensive approach combining MAT, therapy, and psychiatric oversight in one location
- Integrated care for co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders
- Telehealth expands reach into rural areas
- Community orientation with referral support and local follow-up
- Compassionate culture focused on individualized, respectful care
Challenges & Service Considerations
Despite robust services, rural barriers persist:
- Limited specialized staff may affect wait times for psychiatric services
- Transportation and broadband access for telehealth still vary by location
- Recovery support requires regional coordination to fill local voids
Nonetheless, HMA’s integrated model in Morristown shows considerable potential to mitigate these challenges.
Hopkins Medical Association’s Morristown clinic delivers a robust and compassionate substance use therapy program. Through Medication-Assisted Treatment, therapy, integrated psychiatric care, and referrals, HMA addresses addiction comprehensively acknowledging substance use as a multifaceted health issue.
Their hybrid model, blending in-person and telehealth services, meets the unique needs of rural patients. For those in Morristown and East Tennessee which face high overdose rates and limited resources HMA offers a pathway to recovery and renewal.