You have questions about finding a Suboxone doctor in Michigan. We have answers.
Is Suboxone the best medication to help me detox from opiates?
Anyone who has been through it knows an opiate detox is rough. The good news is that medication that can help you get through opiate detox. From over-the-counter medications that can help you be more comfortable (reducing aches and nausea) to prescription medications to make detox more bearable and stabilize you long-term, cold turkey isn’t the only option. Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone) is used in some inpatient rehabs as a short-term detox medication, but is more effective as a long-term recovery support.
So what exactly is Suboxone?
Suboxone is the popular brand name for buprenorphine/naloxone. Another brand is Zubsolv. Buprenorphine is a prescription medication that partially activates the opioid receptors in the brain, relieving cravings and alleviating withdrawal symptoms. The buprenorphine in Suboxone is combined with a smaller amount of naloxone, a medicine that blocks the effects of opioids. If Suboxone is taken as directed, the naloxone has no effect, but if the medication is misused, the naloxone blocks any possible euphoric effects.
Learn More: Is Suboxone an Opiate? And Your Other Detox Questions, Answered
Can my current doctor prescribe me buprenorphine (Suboxone)?
Suboxone is a controlled substance regulated by the DEA. Prior to 2023, providers were required to have a DATA waiver (sometimes called the X waiver) in order to prescribe buprenorphine. This requirement was removed in 2023, but many providers are still wary of prescribing buprenorphine. In order to prescribe controlled substances, prescribers must still complete an eight-hour training, but this is not specific to buprenorphine, so most providers do complete this training. If you already have a relationship with a doctor you feel comfortable with, it doesn’t hurt to ask them to if they’re willing and able to prescribe Suboxone.
All Workit Health clinicians are able to prescribe buprenorphine, making Suboxone treatment available throughout Michigan via telehealth. All appointments, recovery groups, chat messaging, and recovery courses take place in the Workit Health app.
Learn more about how Workit Health’s online Suboxone program works.
Are there specific types of doctors that prescribe Suboxone?
All different types of doctors can prescribe Suboxone. Psychiatrists and addiction medicine specialists often treat patients with Suboxone in an office setting. Emergency medicine doctors are also on the front lines of the opioid crisis, as they’ve seen firsthand the effects of opioid addiction in the emergency room. This makes them especially likely to be willing to prescribe Suboxone. At Workit Health, our providers are experienced addiction specialists with years of experience managing teams who treat substance use disorders.
Do I have to go to a methadone clinic to get Suboxone?
No. Although both Suboxone and methadone are both effective treatments for opiate addiction, you don’t need to go to a methadone clinic to get Suboxone. Some methadone clinics do offer treatment with buprenorphine (Suboxone), but the regulations for prescribing methadone are different than the regulations for prescribing Suboxone.
Trying to decide between Suboxone and methadone? We cover the differences.
Will my insurance cover buprenorphine (Suboxone) at the pharmacy?
Most insurance plans that have prescription drug coverage—including Medicare and Medicaid plans—cover buprenorphine/naloxone. It may not cover the brand name Suboxone specifically, but will likely cover the generic versions. If your plan requires a pre-authorization for a Suboxone prescription, this is something your care team can help you with.
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What if I don’t have insurance but want Suboxone treatment?
If you don’t have insurance, our team at Workit Health has grant funding available for certain counties in Southeast Michigan. This funding is capped at a certain number of participants, so you will need to check to see if it is available in your county. We also offer self-pay pricing for Michiganders all over the state. The fee includes provider visits, engaging online courses, and counselor-led and peer support recovery groups. If appropriate, medication would be e-prescribed to your local pharmacy.
Other programs in Michigan may offer different solutions.