The Four Keys to Breaking the Cycle of Opioid Addiction
If you’re stuck in the cycle of opioid addiction, feeling ashamed, hopeless, or afraid of withdrawal, I get it—because I’ve lived it. I was addicted for 13 years before I found a way out, and now I help others do the same.
In this article, I’ll walk you through four simple but powerful steps that helped me break free from opioid addiction—something I honestly didn’t believe was possible. These four simple steps can work for anyone struggling in rural Tennessee, especially those with TennCare, commercial insurance, or no insurance at all.
Let’s break the cycle. You’re not broken—you just need a path forward.
✅ Step 1: Find Your Motivation and Mean It
Breaking addiction starts with a decision—one only you can make.
Ask yourself:
What has addiction already taken from me?
What will I lose if I don’t stop?
What do I want my life to look like 90 days from now?
Write it down. Say it out loud. Read it daily. Read it when you’re tired, when you’re tempted—go back to your “why.”
Motivation tools that work:
“Before Me / After Me” lists
90-Day future statements
Journals about your kids, job, family, or dreams
You’ll need something real to hang onto if cravings or triggers creep in.
✅ Step 2: Use Modern Medicine – Suboxone Treatment Works
There’s no badge of honor in suffering through withdrawal. Suboxone (buprenorphine + naloxone) changed my life—and it can change yours too. Had I found Suboxone sooner, my story would be very different. Taking pain pills began with me enjoying the euphoria they created. Eventually, it was nearly impossible to feel that euphoria. People call “chasing the dragon” because you’ll never get those first-time feelings back, ever.
I can say with total honestly that Suboxone made quitting pain pills easy. I knew within thirty minutes of taking Suboxone for the first time that I had finally found my solution.
Within 30 minutes of my first dose, I felt clear-headed, withdrawal-free, and for the first time in years—hopeful.
Why Suboxone is a game changer:
Eliminates cravings
Blocks withdrawal symptoms
Lets you think clearly again
Covered by TennCare and commercial insurance
- Long half-life often reduces cravings for many hours
Even if you’ve bought Suboxone on the street before, doing it legally with medical guidance makes a huge difference.
👉 Schedule with TennCare
👉 Schedule with Commercial Insurance
👉 Schedule as a Self-Pay Patient
✅ Step 3: Join Group Recovery and Start Healing
Opioid addiction thrives in isolation. Group recovery saved me from myself. At my third NA meeting, I heard a speaker tell a story that could’ve been mine. He had been clean for five years, which seemed like eternity to me. I kept thinking to myself, “I want what he has.” I also knew I wasn’t alone anymore—and neither are you. Group recovery becomes your posse, support system, and the place you go every day to remind yourself that your recovery is your #1 priority.
Group Recovery Tips:
Attend 90 meetings in 90 days
Pick a “home group” that fits your vibe
Get a sponsor (pro tip: choose the grumpiest one in the room – they usually mean business)
Group recovery isn’t just about sharing. It’s about connection, accountability, and hope. Find local group recovery meetings.
✅ Step 4: Change Habits, Change Your Life
You can’t recover in the same environment that made you sick. You have to change it.
To stay clean, I:
Changed my phone number
Stopped driving past old “trigger” spots
Got off drug-dealer-friendly apps
Deleted all contacts who only knew “addicted me”
Most importantly, I found a new sense of purpose. I volunteered. I helped others. I became the version of myself I actually liked.
🌟 Your Life Can Begin Again
Whether you live in Tullahoma, Kingsport, La Vergne, Bartlett, or Jackson, you can start recovery today—from your cell phone.
All you need is:
A Tennessee photo ID
A desire to stop
A few minutes to schedule a virtual appointment
👉 Schedule Treatment Now
👉 Insurance We Accept & Self-Pay Plans
✅ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How long do I need to take Suboxone?
It depends. Some people taper off after a few months. Others stay on it longer. Your doctor will guide you.
Does TennCare cover Suboxone treatment?
Yes! We accept BlueCare, Amerigroup, UHC Community Plan, and Wellpoint.
Will Suboxone make me high?
No. It relieves withdrawal and cravings without the high that comes from full opioids like heroin or Oxy.
Can I get treatment without going to a clinic?
Yes. All of our appointments are 100% virtual. You can start treatment from home today.
Final Thoughts
Addiction robbed you of years, but it doesn’t get the rest of your life. You’re not broken—you’re waking up. Follow these four steps, and watch your life transform into something worth living. You can do it.
