Powering Recovery

Whether one step or a thousand, every step forward matters.

For people living with opioid use disorder (OUD), every recovery journey is different. The right combination of evidence-based treatment and support can make a significant impact. That’s why expanding access to OUD treatment is crucial to help people find an approach that can power their recovery.

What does recovery look like?

Discover how people living with opioid use disorder are moving forward... and why expanding access and removing treatment barriers matters.

A father and peer recovery specialist shares the unexpected moments that shaped his recovery journey and inspired him to help others.

Watch Ryan's Story

Ryan's Story

A small-business owner and community leader whose desire to belong took him down a path her never imagined.

Watch Adrian's Story

Adrian's story

Adrian's journey with opioid use disorder began in his teens and progressed from prescription opioids to heroin use. What started as a desire for acceptance quickly evolved into addiction, leading to years of chaos, strained relationships, and personal loss. After reaching a turning point that involved his family witnessing the impact of his addiction firsthand, Adrian realized that something needed to change.

With the support of his mother, Adrian began treatment with buprenorphine, marking the start of his recovery journey. Through a combination of medication, therapy, hard work, and perseverance, he gradually rebuilt his life and found a renewed sense of stability and purpose.

Today, Adrian is a college graduate, small business owner, and active community leader. He dedicates his time to improving his neighborhood and giving back to others, using his experiences to demonstrate that recovery is possible. His story is one of resilience, redemption, and hope, showing that with the right support and treatment, people living with opioid use disorder can build meaningful, fulfilling lives.

Actor and creative whose path to recovery changed how he finds progress and purpose in everyday life.

Watch Dave's Story

Dave's Story

Frequently asked questions

Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a treatable brain disease. It impacts millions of people in the United States daily. Each year, around 4.0 million people are diagnosed with OUD, with an estimated 7.1 million people misusing opioids.^1,2

Opioid overdose remains the leading cause of death among U.S. adults ages 18–45. Opioid misuse contributes to around 80,000 preventable deaths each year.^1,3 With only 15.2% receiving medications for opioid use disorder, there is a critical need to increase awareness, reduce stigma, and expand access to effective treatment and support for people living with OUD.

Learn more about opioid use disorder.

_References
_{1. National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics. “Drug Abuse Statistics.” Accessed Feb. 2, 2026. DrugAbuseStatistics.org,

2. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. “Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States: Results from the 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.” SAMHSA.gov, July 2025.

3. The White House. “The Staggering Cost of the Illicit Opioid Epidemic in the United States.” WhiteHouse.gov, March 26, 2025.}

Opioid use disorder alters the brain’s reward, stress, and self-control circuits, which is why stopping opioid use without support can be extremely challenging. When opioids enter the brain, they attach to specific receptors on brain cells, reducing pain and creating feelings of pleasure.⁴

With repeated opioid use, the brain adapts to receiving opioids from an outside source. Over time, these changes affect how the brain and body respond to both opioids and the body’s natural reward signals, contributing to physical dependence and cravings. This dependence can make it difficult to quit using opioids without the right treatment.⁵

^{References

4. Kosten, T. R., & George, T. P. (2002). The neurobiology of opioid dependence: Implications for treatment. Science & Practice Perspectives, 1(1), 13–20.

5. Volkow, N. D., Michaelides, M., & Baler, R. (2019). The neuroscience of drug reward and addiction. Physiological Reviews, 99(4), 2115–2140.}

Long-acting injectable (LAI) buprenorphine is a once-monthly or once-weekly shot for people living with opioid use disorder (OUD) that provides treatment over an extended period of time, reducing the burden of taking medication every day, all while lowering healthcare costs down the line.

Patients with OUD are more likely to stay on medication and express higher treatment satisfaction when taking LAI formulations.^6,7,8 Compared with daily oral medications, monthly LAIs reduce the number of treatment days and eliminate the burden of making a daily decision to take medication, which may reduce the risk of relapse.⁹ Instead of taking up to 365 doses of medicine per year with orally administered medications, people using LAI buprenorphine may only need 10-12 doses per year to stay on effective treatment.¹⁰

Recent real-world evidence shows that LAIs reduce staffing times and associated costs in criminal justice settings.11 Due to it being administered as a monthly injectable, LAI buprenorphine was found to help reduce diversion and improve treatment in jails and prisons.¹²

Learn more about long-acting injectable buprenorphine and its role in criminal justice facilities.

^{References

6. Compton, Wilson M., and Volkow, Nora D. “Extended-Release Buprenorphine and Its Evaluation With Patient-Reported Outcomes.” JAMA Network Open, May 10, 2021.

7. Allen, E., et al. “Exploring patient experience and satisfaction with depot buprenorphine formulations: A mixed-methods study.” Drug and Alcohol Review, Feb. 14, 2023.

8. Kuhns, Lisa. “Long-Acting Injectable Antipsychotics Reduce 30-Day Rehospitalizations.” Psychiatry Advisor, Feb. 27, 2024.

9. Jerry, M., Venkat, D., Flynn, C., Tran, A. T., Abdel-Sattar, M., Mullen, W., & Lane, C. (2026). Relationship between extended-release buprenorphine adherence and reduced risk of return to use in patients with opioid use disorder: A retrospective claims data analysis. Drug and Alcohol Dependence Reports, 19, 100424.

10. Allen, Susie. “Within Reach.” The University of Chicago Magazine, Summer 2024.

11. Poole, C., Flynn, C., Kistler, K., Chaplin, S., van Stiphout, J., Carlton, R., Thompson, M., Jay, J., & Mullen, W. (2026). Staffing resource use: Medications for opioid use disorder cost impact model in carceral facilities. Journal of Current Medical Research and Opinion, 9(3), 4693–4703.

12. Lutgen-Nieves, L., Gaiazov, S., Wolfe, C., Valera, P., Flynn, C., Johnson, N., & Fiscella, K. (2026). Surveying correctional health staff on medication for opioid use disorder diversion: Barriers and mitigation strategies. Journal of Correctional Health Care, 32(3), 171–177.}

There are several ways to receive care and support for opioid use disorder (OUD). Treatment is available in a variety of healthcare and community settings, including hospitals, office clinics, telehealth services, emergency departments, treatment centers, and even jails and prisons.

However, access to OUD treatment isn’t consistent across the United States. Many individuals living with OUD face barriers due to where they live, healthcare coverage, transportation, or availability of trained providers.¹³ Expanding access to evidence-based treatments, including medications for opioid use disorder like LAI buprenorphine, can help make recovery possible for more people.

^{References

13. Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. (2026). Results from the 2025 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Detailed tables. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.}

Stigma remains a significant barrier to treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD). It can make individuals less likely to seek help by making it harder for them to talk about their condition.

People living with OUD also face fragmented care across medical, behavioral, and jail and prison systems. Not every treatment provider offers evidence-based care, and there are not enough clinicians nationwide to provide care for the number of people who need help.^14,15,16,17

This is why it is important to reduce stigma and increase awareness of OUD treatment options so that more people can get the help they need.

^{References

14. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (n.d.). Words matter: Preferred language for talking about addiction. National Institutes of Health.

15. Avalere Health. “The Cost of Opioid Use Disorder.” AvalereHealth.com, May 19, 2025.

16. Judd, D., King, C., Galke, C. “The Opioid Epidemic: A Review of the Contributing Factors, Negative Consequences, and Best Practices.” Cureus, July 10, 2025.

17. Locklear, Mallory. “Treating opioid disorder without meds more harmful than no treatment at all.” YaleNews., Dec. 19, 2023.}

Fewer barriers. More support. More steps forward.

Recovery is not defined by one milestone. It is built through the choices that help people move forward. But when treatment options are out of reach, recovery becomes harder.

Expanding access to evidence-based treatments, including medications for opioid use disorder like long-acting injectable buprenorphine, can help make recovery possible for more people.

Learn more about leaders in the recovery movement

Looking for more information and support? Visit these organizations for additional resources about recovery, treatment and supporting people affected by opioid use disorder.