Can I Switch From Methadone to Suboxone?
It is possible to switch to Suboxone from methadone treatment. Everyone’s situation is different, so talk to your doctor first to see if switching is right for you.
How Long Will I Stay on Suboxone?
The length of therapy is up to your doctor, you, and, sometimes, your therapist or counselor. Although short-term treatment may be an effective option for some people, opiate addiction can be very hard to break and it often requires time to address the psychological and behavioral components of their disease. Since physical dependence is only part of opioid dependence, the chance of relapsing can be higher with short-term treatment because patients have less time to learn the skills necessary to maintain an opioid-free lifestyle. Suppressing cravings with Suboxone (for as long as you need), combined with counseling and/or support, can often increase the level of treatment success. Stopping Suboxone abruptly will probably cause withdrawal symptoms. When you are ready, your doctor will work with you to taper the doses down to where you can stop taking Suboxone. You should be aware of signs of relapse or withdrawal symptoms. If you do discontinue taking Suboxone, your leftover pills should be discarded to ensure that they can’t be used by anyone else.
Where Can I Find a Physician Who Can Prescribe Suboxone?
Doctors need to be certified to prescribe Suboxone. Doctors who are already specialists in addiction medicine or who complete specific training can become certified to treat opioid dependence with Suboxone in the privacy of their office. Ask your doctor if he or she is certified. If not, your doctor may elect to become certified so that he or she can treat you, or your doctor may refer you to a colleague who is certified. You may also be able to find a physician who can treat you with Suboxone by calling your local hospital or mental health center and asking them if they have any doctors certified to use Suboxone to treat opioid dependence.
Many certified physicians are listed on the Physician Locator that you can access at:
Pat Moore Foundation’s alcohol & drug addiction treatment programs are licensed and certified by The State of California. Pat Moore Foundation patients have access to opiate and opioid detoxification provided by a third party medical corporation that uses suboxone for the detoxification process. Our individual homes are on a unique co-ed campus where we offer gender specific treatment. We are located in Costa Mesa, in Orange County, Southern California, close to Newport Beach and Huntington Beach, and only an hour’s drive from Los Angeles and San Diego. To speak with a counselor, please call us 24-hours at the number above, or if you’d like us to contact you, send a confidential message online by filling out our online form.
Note: All medical services are administered by medical professionals, which are facilitated and operated solely under the jurisdiction of a separate medical corporation.