Medication-Assisted Treatment in South Dakota

For many people in South Dakota, addiction treatment hasn’t just been hard to access, it’s felt out of reach entirely. In small towns and remote parts of the state, there might not be a single addiction specialist nearby.

Though there’s growing recognition across the state that barriers like geographic isolation and stigma play a major role in keeping people from care. Between January 2024 and January 2025, South Dakota recorded 83 overdose deaths according to recent CDC data.

Beyond the statistics, the personal stories speak volumes. People living with addiction face more than just the physical and emotional challenges of recovery. They often carry the fear of being judged by their own communities. The stigma surrounding substance use can leave people feeling ashamed, alone, and unsure where to turn for help.

By providing confidential, accessible care through telemedicine, individuals can receive support without the barriers of distance, time, or societal judgment. It ensures that help is available when and where it’s needed, offering a path to recovery that respects the dignity and privacy of every person.

The Department of Social Services offers critical programs like the Indigent Medication Program, which covers the cost of addiction medications and lab work for people who can’t afford it. This kind of direct support is life-changing for someone trying to begin recovery without insurance or a steady income.

Virtual care is also reshaping what’s possible. South Dakota Medicaid now reimburses telemedicine services for behavioral health services, including audio-only visits, which is a vital option in areas with limited internet or no transportation. Patients can talk to licensed professionals from their own homes, in privacy and without shame.

Change is happening at the national level, too. Senator Mike Rounds and Tina Smith reintroduced legislation, the Home-Based Telemental Health Care Act of 2025, aiming to expand substance use and mental health services in rural communities like those across South Dakota. If passed, it could fund more tools and infrastructure to reach people who’ve historically been cut off from treatment altogether.

The state is also working to dismantle stigma with public awareness efforts like the Let’s Be Clear campaign, which focuses on education, prevention, and honest conversations about substance use. It’s helping shift the narrative from blame to support, so that more people feel safe stepping forward.

None of these changes alone can fix a system that’s been failing too many for too long. But together, they’re building something better: a model of care that meets people with compassion, flexibility, and respect. These steps represent real progress in building a system where getting help is safer, simpler, and more human.

How QuickMD reaches South Dakota patients

At QuickMD, we know that the decision to start addiction treatment can be heavy, especially in a place where judgment feels close and resources feel far away.

That’s why we’ve designed our care around privacy, flexibility, and support that fits into real life. You can meet with a licensed provider from your phone or computer. There are no long drives and no risk of someone you know seeing you walk through a treatment center’s doors.

We offer Medication-Assisted Treatment, including Suboxone® when appropriate, through secure video visits. Our appointments are available during the day, in the evening, or even on weekends, because we know life doesn’t pause for recovery. And we continue to check in with you, helping you move through treatment at your own pace, with consistent support.

There’s no insurance required. No hoops to jump through. Just a straightforward, judgment-free way to begin healing right where you are. In a state where too many people still fall through the cracks, we’re here to make sure you don’t have to. Whether you live in Sioux Falls or a town with no stoplights, care is only a click away.

1. Let your recovery be ordinary

Not every day has to be a breakthrough. Some days you’ll just take your meds, keep your head down, and go to bed sober. That’s still progress. In fact, the ordinary days are where healing takes root, quietly, steadily, without fanfare.

2. Don’t over-explain your healing

You don’t owe anyone a perfect narrative about your recovery. Not your coworkers. Not your extended family. Not even your past self. Some things are private. You’re allowed to grow quietly, without turning your pain into a performance.

3. Create room for your new identity

When you stop using, you lose more than a substance. You lose a version of yourself. The person who used to escape, perform, or numb isn’t calling the shots anymore. That can feel disorienting. Give yourself time to figure out who you’re becoming. You don’t have to rush into being “better.” Just be real.