Our Approach
How we work with patients.
Do I have to be in withdrawal to start buprenorphine?
Not necessarily. There are different approaches to starting buprenorphine — some traditional methods require waiting until withdrawal begins, but other approaches allow patients to start without that wait. Your physician will discuss the right induction approach for you based on your situation.
Will you discharge me if I test positive?
No. A positive drug screen tells us something about where you are in your treatment — it is not a reason to end your care. Drug testing is a routine part of buprenorphine treatment here. Your physician determines when and how testing is conducted based on where you are in your care. It is a clinical tool to inform your treatment, not to penalize you. If something comes up, we talk about it. That is what a physician relationship is for.
What if I use other substances while on buprenorphine?
Tell us. Some combinations — particularly benzodiazepines, alcohol, and other sedatives — carry real risks alongside buprenorphine, and your physician needs to know in order to keep you safe. We are not going to judge you or discharge you for being honest. We would rather know what is actually happening so we can make sure you are safe and talk through what's going on.
What if I miss a visit?
We will work with you to reschedule. Missing a visit does not automatically put your prescription at risk. But your care depends on an ongoing relationship with your physician — staying in contact matters, and we will always work with you to make that possible.
Do I have to do counseling?
Counseling is not required here. We can refer you to an external counselor if you want one, and some patients find it genuinely valuable alongside medication. It will never be a condition of your care.
Federal guidance from SAMHSA and FDA specifically states that medication should not be withheld if a patient is not participating in counseling.
Will my employer find out?
No. Because we don't bill insurance, there is no explanation of benefits sent to your employer or insurer. Your visits are protected under HIPAA and under federal confidentiality rules specific to substance use treatment. Nothing about your care is reported to your employer. What you discuss with your physician stays between you and your physician.
Is this confidential?
Yes. Your visits and records are protected under HIPAA. Because we don't bill insurance, no explanation of benefits is sent to your employer or insurer. What you discuss with your physician stays private.
What if I've tried treatment before and it didn't work?
That's more common than you might think — and it doesn't disqualify you from trying again. Many people who didn't do well in traditional programs do well with medication-first care. Programs that require attendance, group sessions, and compliance before prescribing create barriers that cause people to drop out. That's not a personal failure. If buprenorphine is clinically appropriate for you, we start it — without making you earn it first.
Can I get started today?
Often, yes. Same-day visits are frequently available. Call or text (888) 835-9995 and we'll find the soonest time available. If buprenorphine is appropriate, your prescription is sent to your pharmacy the same day.
What if I can't afford the visit fee?
Ask. We have a pay-what-you-can option for patients already on buprenorphine who are facing an urgent gap in care and genuinely cannot afford the standard fee. We do not want cost to be the reason someone doesn't get care. Talk to your physician about your situation.
I've heard buprenorphine is hard to get. Is that true here?
It can be hard to get in many places — waiting lists, prior authorizations, mandatory counseling requirements, in-person visits. None of that applies here. No referral, no insurance, no waiting list. If you call today, you can often be seen today. If buprenorphine is appropriate after your evaluation, the prescription goes to your pharmacy the same day.
How often will I need to be seen?
It depends on where you are in treatment. New patients and those in early treatment are seen more frequently. Once stable, most patients are seen monthly. Visit frequency is a decision you make with your physician — there is no fixed formula.
About the medication
What patients want to know about buprenorphine.
Isn't buprenorphine just replacing one drug with another?
This is one of the most common things people hear — and it is not accurate. Buprenorphine works on the same receptors as other opioids but it does not produce the same effects. Think of it like medication for any other chronic condition — a thyroid medication does not cure thyroid disease, but it allows the person taking it to live normally. Buprenorphine does the same thing for opioid use disorder. The goal is not abstinence from a medication. The goal is a life that works.
How long will I need to take it?
As long as it is helping. There are no preset time limits. Some people take buprenorphine for a year, others for many years, others indefinitely. The research is clear that longer treatment is associated with better outcomes. We do not push tapers or set end dates — that decision is yours, made with your physician when you feel ready.
What is the difference between Suboxone and Subutex?
Suboxone contains buprenorphine combined with naloxone. Subutex is buprenorphine alone. Both treat opioid use disorder effectively. The naloxone in Suboxone has no effect when the medication is dissolved under the tongue as directed — it is there as a deterrent against injection misuse, because if injected the naloxone activates and causes immediate withdrawal. When taken correctly, you will not notice it.
Will I feel high on buprenorphine?
No — not when taken as prescribed. Buprenorphine has a ceiling effect, meaning that above a certain dose its effects level off. Most patients on a stable dose describe feeling normal — not sedated, not euphoric, not impaired. That is the point.