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.
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.
Joseph Ference
Physician Assistant
At first I was hesitant to do the shot. I wanted to do the sub’s. The doctor “Khan” said the shot would be better so I trusted him and went for the Vivitrol treatment. The hardest part was the 7 day withdrawal before the shot. Dr. Khan gave me some medication to help with the withdrawals which helped but it was still really hard. I got to the point where I couldn’t wait to get the shot so I could finally start this recovery process. I’ve only been on the shot for one month and what a huge difference it made! Before I couldn’t control or stop myself from going and getting high. The addiction controlled me. Now after the shot, I can control the desire to go get high and the desire to get high is less and less everyday. This shot gave me the biggest tool to finally say no! I think about my addiction less and less and more about my future and what I want out of it. This shot saved my life and brought me back into reality.
Thank you Dr. Khan, you are amazing!
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29th August 2026