MEQUON (SPECTRUM NEWS)-- A brand new program in Ozaukee County is now a one of a kind treatment for those addicted to opioids.

Addiction can happen to anyone, in fact, at Ascension Columbia Saint Mary's Ozaukee, they see on average one person a day in the emergency room facing addiction.

“Statistics show right now that heroin overdoses are still increasing and somebody's next dose of narcotic could be their last dose," Behavioral Health Manager at Ascensiuon Columbia Saint Mary’s Ozaukee, Jason Guarkee said.

According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Ozaukee County is ranked 16 out of the 72 counties for opioid misuse. This is where the SOAR program comes into play.

“We really thought it was important that we serve our community by addressing the heroin addiction in Ozaukee County," Guarkee said.

SOAR stands for successful opioid addiction recovery. It's a brand new long term program that was recently launched at Ascension Columbia Saint Mary's.

"The primary purpose of the soar group was to expedite the treatment of narcotics addiction," Guarkee said.

The program takes patients straight from the emergency room and into treatment.

"A patient will do a six week intensive outpatient treatment program and another 52 weeks of our patient therapy. This is a medication assisted treatment program which means they will be introduced to a substance called buprenorphine, which helps heavily with heroin withdrawal and cravings," Guarkee said.

The medication will be combined with cognitive behavioral therapy. Behavioral health manager, Jason Gaurkee says this helps allow get to the root of the addiction.

"We find that most people that have addition issues usually have some type of core underlying issues, which has to be addressed before they are going to get clean and sober," Guarkee said.

Organizers believe the program will restore a sense of hope and normalcy into the lives of many throughout Ozaukee County and the state.

"It's beautiful when they start the program, they start to see their lives get better and they start to learn they aren't a bad person, they are a good person with a really bad disease," Alcohol and Drug Therapist at Ascension Columbia Saint Mary’s Ozaukee, Dawn Ritter said.