Doctors across the nation will soon have a new tool in the battle against opioid addiction.

The FDA just approved a new drug called Lucemyra. Officials say it's the first non-opioid for treating those going through the painful symptoms of withdrawal.

Local addiction experts tell News 12 Long Island this is an important tool to get addicts through a tough period and on the road to recovery.

"We view this as a real important tool to interrupt that process," says Dr. Jeff Reynolds. "In a lot of cases, the worst part of this is that detox period, that two-to-three days after you stop using. Now we have a way to get you through that and bridge you into care. So it's a home run."

Recovering heroin addict Laura Jensen, of Northport, remembers the painful symptoms of withdrawal from a highly addictive opioid. She tried to go through it all alone twice in her own home.

"Your body hurts. You're going through cold sweats. You think you have the flu or something like that. And progressively it just gets more and more," says Jensen.

Jensen says this drug would have helped her years ago. Now she hopes it will help others going through what she did.

News 12 is told the drug will be available this summer.