Philip Alisauskas was 18 and working as a machinist when he hurt his back on the job. A doctor prescribed a drug, oxycodone, to relieve the pain.

After three years, Philip’s doctor stopped renewing his prescription, so he turned to illegal opioids, like fentanyl and heroin. His downward spiral continued following the death of a loved one in 2020, and he overdosed several times on the drugs.

“I really needed to find some help,” Philip said. “Either I was going to die, or I needed to get help.”

In January 2022, he connected with Virtua’s Medication for Addiction Treatment (MAT) program, which uses medicines and behavioral therapy to help people recover from substance use disorders.

“Before there was no end in mind. Just a vicious circle to not be sick or in pain,” said Phillip. “Now, I’ve got goals to progress in my life. There’s definitely more of a positive side.”

“It’s virtually impossible to stop using opioids on your own,” said Lynda Bascelli, MD, primary care physician and addiction medicine specialist. “With help, people get their lives back. They repair relationships. They become employed. They buy homes. They do things they couldn’t when they were trying to maintain an opioid habit.”

Medication and Therapy Reduce Cravings

The program utilizes evidence-based FDA-approved medications, like naltrexone (Vivitrol, Revia) and buprenorphine-naloxone (Suboxone, Sublocade) to help people who use opioids reduce their cravings, manage withdrawal symptoms, and prevent return to use.

“There’s a misconception that we are trading one drug for another. Addiction is a brain disease, and these medications help the brain to heal,” said Dr. Bascelli. “These medications work on receptors in the brain and are highly effective in helping people abstain from opioids or alcohol, or to reduce harm from their continued use.”

The medication is often paired with therapy. Both services are offered at the same location. Individuals also can be referred to more intensive therapies, if needed.

“Therapy is not a mandatory part of treatment because some people are skeptical of it and we do not want to create any barriers that might prevent them from continuing treatment,” said Dr. Bascelli. “However, we do know that medication and therapy work better together than either one does alone.”

Philip has been taking Sublocade and Suboxone to reduce cravings and sees a therapist to treat his depression.

“I never thought I’d make it to 40,” he said. “I’m still adjusting to life off of drugs. I feel bad for a lot of things I’ve done.”

Nonjudgmental Care

Treatment plans are catered to the individual’s personal goals.

“Success looks different for every individual,” said Dr. Bascelli. “We provide a judgment-free zone. If someone, despite their intent, continues to use opioids, we will continue to treat them. We want to reduce their risk of harm from continued substance use, like hepatitis C or HIV transmission, or overdose and death.”

Philip knows he has a long way to go after so many years of addiction. But he has reconnected with his family and hopes to eventually return to work.

“I never thought I would clean up,” he said. “For them to get it into my head that I can clean up, is a huge help. I thought I was wasting everyone time, but they stuck with me and helped me out.”

Get on the Path to Addiction Recovery

Virtua’s Medication for Addiction Treatment program uses medicines and behavioral therapy to help people recover from opioid, alcohol, and other substance use disorders. Call 856-322-3110 to schedule an appointment.