NEWPORT — Two Upper Valley clinics that prescribe controlled medications to treat opioid use disorder have suddenly closed.

New England Medicine and Counseling Associates, which has six locations in the Twin States including Grantham and Newport, closed as of Wednesday, according to a news release from the N.H. Department of Health and Human Services. The state agency did not specify a reason for why the business closed and urged affected patients to find another clinic to provide them with care.

As a result of the closure, emergency departments may expect to see an increase in people experiencing withdrawal or requesting buprenorphine, a medication for the treatment of opioid use disorder, the news release said.

“When patients who have been treated with medications like buprenorphine suddenly lose access to their medication, they are at increased risk of an opioid overdose and may have significant withdrawal symptoms if care is not reestablished quickly,” DHHS Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jonathan Ballard said in the release.

Patients who need help finding new medical providers can find assistance by calling 211 in New Hampshire or VTHelplink (802-565-LINK) in Vermont.