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Hear the voices of hope from our patients and from providers who give hope to our patients.

Don't know where to start? Start with us...

For people experiencing SUD on opioids, there is hope! 

At NWIH, steps to recovery begin as soon as a patient decides to speak to one of our staff. Following the ASAM (American Society of Addiction Medicine) guidelines, our adept providers customize a treatment plan just for you. Initiation involves transitioning from your substance to a (MAT) Medication Assisted Treatment  with daily monitoring. Recovery involves periodic checkups of your physical, mental, and social health through counseling.

It’s a journey and we go along with you.

Here are voices of hope from our patients and from providers who give hope to our patients.

I teach all of my patients that there is nothing morally or spiritually wrong with them...

I am a physician assistant at NWIH. Almost 20 years ago, when I began working as a physician assistant (PA), PAs mainly worked in underserved geographic areas. I found that Substance Use Disorder was unlimited in its geographic range and that people with these disorders were the most underserved population of any progressive illness. This, along with an innate desire to help, is why I chose to work in addiction medicine. I evaluate new and current clients, adjusting each patient’s treatment plan in collaboration with the patient.

A lot of my patients are discriminated against by family, friends, the legal system, employers, housing, and the healthcare system. The mistreatment which people with Substance Use Disorder (SUD) face can have SUD patients believing that they themselves are evil or broken.

I teach all of my patients that there is nothing morally or spiritually wrong with them, that they have a biochemical disease, and that they need to ask for help. When patients follow my advice and ask for help, I know that they are ready to recover. Then, I give each patient all the advice I can at every step of their journey.

Joseph Ference

Physician Assistant

I teach all of my patients that there is nothing morally or spiritually wrong with them...

I am a physician assistant at NWIH. Almost 20 years ago, when I began working as a physician assistant (PA), PAs mainly worked in underserved geographic areas. I found that Substance Use Disorder was unlimited in its geographic range and that people with these disorders were the most underserved population of any progressive illness. This, along with an innate desire to help, is why I chose to work in addiction medicine. I evaluate new and current clients, adjusting each patient’s treatment plan in collaboration with the patient.

A lot of my patients are discriminated against by family, friends, the legal system, employers, housing, and the healthcare system. The mistreatment which people with Substance Use Disorder (SUD) face can have SUD patients believing that they themselves are evil or broken.

I teach all of my patients that there is nothing morally or spiritually wrong with them, that they have a biochemical disease, and that they need to ask for help. When patients follow my advice and ask for help, I know that they are ready to recover. Then, I give each patient all the advice I can at every step of their journey.

Joseph Ference

Physician Assistant