Being caught in the downward spiral of opiate addiction can be a dark journey. However, there is light at the end for the tunnel.
"Recovery from this complex health condition is achievable and sustainable."
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A counseling plan for opiate addiction
Help Recovery Centers
call or text Tom 615-905-9338
Opioid Use Disorder: A National Epidemic
The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) defines Opiate Use Disorder as a chronic and progressive disease of the brain. Death due to opiate overdose has increased dramatically in the United States in recent years. In 2023 alone, over 100,000 Americans died of opiate overdose. That's more than automobile accidents and gun violence combined. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) is calling the opiate use problem in America a national epidemic.
In 2012 Tom Diffenderfer LADAC II, QCS, CAIP decided to leave the substance abuse inpatient facility where he had spent the last 18 years as a counselor helping patients recover from addiction. His goal was to focus attention on outpatient treatment strategies to help manage the opiate epidemic that was sweeping Middle Tennessee. From 2012 until now, Tom has worked closely with doctors that prescribe Suboxone and other Buprenorphine medications. Also, during those 10+ years, he has facilitated over 9 thousand counseling sessions, and authored the books “Clinician’s Guide for Medication Assisted Treatment and “A Counseling Plan for Medication Assisted Treatment.” In 2014 Tom expanded services to the rest of Tennessee by developing his video counseling practice. And in 2020, when the corona virus hit, he took telehealth to the next level by developing online interactive recovery workbooks. These online workbooks enhance the counselor/patient interaction and communication.
In 2012 Tom Diffenderfer LADAC II, QCS, CAIP decided to leave the substance abuse inpatient facility where he had spent the last 18 years as a counselor helping patients recover from addiction. His goal was to focus attention on outpatient treatment strategies to help manage the opiate epidemic that was sweeping Middle Tennessee. From 2012 until now, Tom has worked closely with doctors that prescribe Suboxone and other Buprenorphine medications. Also, during those 10+ years, he has facilitated over 9 thousand counseling sessions, and authored the books “Clinician’s Guide for Medication Assisted Treatment and “A Counseling Plan for Medication Assisted Treatment.” In 2014 Tom expanded services to the rest of Tennessee by developing his video counseling practice. And in 2020, when the corona virus hit, he took telehealth to the next level by developing online interactive recovery workbooks. These online workbooks enhance the counselor/patient interaction and communication.
Help Recovery Center's counseling plan for opiate addiction provides an outpatient solution to this complex but treatable health condition.
How it Works
The plan consists of individual Video counseling provided by licensed addiction counselors, an original addiction therapy workbook, and for many patients, medications for addiction treatment (MAT). We also place an emphasis on stress management and the reduction of unhealthy anxiety. Give us a call and let us help you determine if MAT is the best option for your situation. You can choose your own doctor, or we can refer you to a physician who specializes in prescribing medication for addiction treatment. Suboxone medications go to work quickly. Within an hour after taking the medicine, most withdrawal symptoms and cravings are gone. You will feel "normal" and be able to start living a productive life again. At that point you will be scheduled to start counseling.
The medication manages withdrawal and cravings, and the counseling helps you change unhealthy patterns of thinking that developed during active addiction.
Our counselors are experienced in helping patients establish an enjoyable, productive recovery lifestyle.
Our counselors are experienced in helping patients establish an enjoyable, productive recovery lifestyle.
Video Counseling
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Tom Diffenderfer is a level II licensed alcohol and drug abuse counselor, certified anxiety informed professional, qualified clinical supervisor, and certified life coach. He has 30 years of experience counseling patients with Opiate and other substance use disorders. Tom has helped thousands of individuals recover from addictions and unhealthy anxieties. The counseling plans are flexible. You can meet with your counselor weekly, bi-monthly, or monthly from the comfort of your home using zoom video counseling. You will also receive access to Recovery Production's online technology for emotional well-being. A wealth of web-based recovery resources.
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"My passion for helping patients recover from addiction is rooted in my own personal recovery journey that began 34 years ago." Tom Diffenderfer LADAC II
For Health Care Providers
If you are a Health care provider prescribing Suboxone for addiction treatment and feel that your patient would benefit from counseling, we are accepting new patients and welcome your referrals. All our counselors are state licensed addictions counselors with years of experiencing helping patients with their substance abuse issues. If you choose, we will be happy to send you monthly counseling verifications. Also, we are always available for phone consultations concerning patient issues or concerns.
For a complimentary phone consultation or to schedule an appointment
call 615.904.9338 email tom@recoveryconsult.com
What Sets Us Apart
*Experience: We have over 30 years of experience delivering addiction counseling. Plus 34 years of personal experience with recovery from addiction. We know how to do this.
*Individualized service: We understand that each patient is unique. Some patients will complete counseling and medications in a year or less. Others may require treatment indefinitely.
*Integrative approach: Our licensed alcohol and drug abuse counselors (LADAC II), have years of experience working with medical doctors who prescribe medications for addiction treatment, anxiety disorders and depression. We also maintain close relationships with other providers and inpatient treatment facilities to offer a full continuum of care.
*Emphasis on stress management: Through our partnership with Recovery Productions, we provide a unique set of online emotional well-being technology aimed at reducing unhealthy anxiety.
*Individualized service: We understand that each patient is unique. Some patients will complete counseling and medications in a year or less. Others may require treatment indefinitely.
*Integrative approach: Our licensed alcohol and drug abuse counselors (LADAC II), have years of experience working with medical doctors who prescribe medications for addiction treatment, anxiety disorders and depression. We also maintain close relationships with other providers and inpatient treatment facilities to offer a full continuum of care.
*Emphasis on stress management: Through our partnership with Recovery Productions, we provide a unique set of online emotional well-being technology aimed at reducing unhealthy anxiety.
Hours of Operation
9:00am to 6:00pm - Monday through Saturday
Closed - Sunday
Fee schedule
50-minute addiction therapy session - $75
25-minute MAT check-up - $40
Payments due at time of service by debit or credit card, and most health savings cards. We do not accept insurance payments for our video counseling services.
Patients participate in video counseling from the comfort of their home using zoom video counseling.
If you live in a rural area or don't have a driver's license, no problem. You will be working with an experienced licensed substance abuse therapist. We can provide your MAT Physician with verification of counseling attendance. This also includes access to Recovery Production's online technology for emotional well-being.
If you need a referral to a physician, patients have the option of using their health insurance to cover the doctor's fee,
or self-pay. Depending upon your location, the self-pay doctor's fee is between $175 and $300 per month.
The length of the maintenance phase is very individualized and depends on each patient's circumstances and goals. Medication maintenance can be relatively short term <less than 12 months, or indefinite.
50-minute addiction therapy session - $75
25-minute MAT check-up - $40
Payments due at time of service by debit or credit card, and most health savings cards. We do not accept insurance payments for our video counseling services.
Patients participate in video counseling from the comfort of their home using zoom video counseling.
If you live in a rural area or don't have a driver's license, no problem. You will be working with an experienced licensed substance abuse therapist. We can provide your MAT Physician with verification of counseling attendance. This also includes access to Recovery Production's online technology for emotional well-being.
If you need a referral to a physician, patients have the option of using their health insurance to cover the doctor's fee,
or self-pay. Depending upon your location, the self-pay doctor's fee is between $175 and $300 per month.
The length of the maintenance phase is very individualized and depends on each patient's circumstances and goals. Medication maintenance can be relatively short term <less than 12 months, or indefinite.
If you are already working with a prescribing physician, we can provide the counseling to help you achieve long term recovery. 615.904.9338
What Others Are Saying About Medication for Addiction Treatment (MAT)
Excerpts from the Surgeon General’s report “Facing Addiction in America” released in 2016.
*The combination of behavioral interventions and medications to treat substance use disorders is commonly referred to as Medication Assisted Treatment or MAT. MAT is a highly effective treatment option for individuals with alcohol and opioid use disorders. Studies have repeatedly demonstrated the efficacy of MAT at reducing illicit drug use and overdose deaths, improving retention in treatment, and reducing HIV transmission.
*Some medications used to treat opioid use disorders can be used to manage withdrawal and as maintenance treatment to reduce craving, lessen withdrawal symptoms, and maintain recovery. These medications are used to help a patient function comfortably without illicit opioids or alcohol while balance is gradually restored to the brain circuits that have been altered by prolonged substance use. Prescribed in this fashion, medications for substance use disorders are in some ways like insulin for patients with diabetes. Insulin reduces symptoms by normalizing glucose metabolism, but it is part of a broader disease control strategy that also employs diet change, education on healthy living, and self-monitoring. Whether treating diabetes or a substance use disorder, medications are best employed as part of a broader treatment plan involving behavioral health therapies and Recovery Support Services, as well as regular monitoring.
*The combination of behavioral interventions and medications to treat substance use disorders is commonly referred to as Medication Assisted Treatment or MAT. MAT is a highly effective treatment option for individuals with alcohol and opioid use disorders. Studies have repeatedly demonstrated the efficacy of MAT at reducing illicit drug use and overdose deaths, improving retention in treatment, and reducing HIV transmission.
*Some medications used to treat opioid use disorders can be used to manage withdrawal and as maintenance treatment to reduce craving, lessen withdrawal symptoms, and maintain recovery. These medications are used to help a patient function comfortably without illicit opioids or alcohol while balance is gradually restored to the brain circuits that have been altered by prolonged substance use. Prescribed in this fashion, medications for substance use disorders are in some ways like insulin for patients with diabetes. Insulin reduces symptoms by normalizing glucose metabolism, but it is part of a broader disease control strategy that also employs diet change, education on healthy living, and self-monitoring. Whether treating diabetes or a substance use disorder, medications are best employed as part of a broader treatment plan involving behavioral health therapies and Recovery Support Services, as well as regular monitoring.
The National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC) has recently released this information on the use of Buprenorphine in the treatment of opioid use disorder
*The goal of addiction treatment is always to assist a client in stopping his or her compulsive use of drugs or alcohol and progress to living a normal, functioning life. Medication assisted treatment for opioid use disorder can help clients achieve this goal.
*Addiction to opioids creates a myriad of negative effects to the addicted client, his or her family, friends, and society as a whole. Most of these devastating effects of opioid dependence are due to the illicit nature of the drug, debilitating side effects of constant use, and the dependent’s inability to perform normal functions of society such as working and parenting. Removing negative effects of opioid use allows a client to live a normal life and contribute to society. Medication assisted treatment with opiate replacement medications can be highly effective for opiate dependent clients.
*If appropriately administered, medication assisted treatments for opioid dependence will not produce euphoric effects, but will help the person feel normal.
*An addiction to opioids and a physical dependence to a medication used to prevent withdrawal symptoms are not the same thing. Addiction and physical dependence are different. Addiction is defined by the pathological behaviors and compulsivity of use, not by the body’s adaption to a medicine. Physical dependence is only one of 11 criteria that are required for a diagnosis of opiate use disorder (addiction).
*The goal of addiction treatment is always to assist a client in stopping his or her compulsive use of drugs or alcohol and progress to living a normal, functioning life. Medication assisted treatment for opioid use disorder can help clients achieve this goal.
*Addiction to opioids creates a myriad of negative effects to the addicted client, his or her family, friends, and society as a whole. Most of these devastating effects of opioid dependence are due to the illicit nature of the drug, debilitating side effects of constant use, and the dependent’s inability to perform normal functions of society such as working and parenting. Removing negative effects of opioid use allows a client to live a normal life and contribute to society. Medication assisted treatment with opiate replacement medications can be highly effective for opiate dependent clients.
*If appropriately administered, medication assisted treatments for opioid dependence will not produce euphoric effects, but will help the person feel normal.
*An addiction to opioids and a physical dependence to a medication used to prevent withdrawal symptoms are not the same thing. Addiction and physical dependence are different. Addiction is defined by the pathological behaviors and compulsivity of use, not by the body’s adaption to a medicine. Physical dependence is only one of 11 criteria that are required for a diagnosis of opiate use disorder (addiction).
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