12 Questions to Ask A Suboxone Clinic Near Me

Here at Buprenorphine Doctors, we want want to assist you in finding the Suboxone doctor near you that will help you regain control of your life from opioid addiction.  You can use our directory to search for a Suboxone clinic in your area, but do you know what to do when you have found one that seems right for you? 

Don’t worry – we’ve compiled 12 questions you will want your Suboxone clinic to answer, whether you find these answers on their website or by calling them for more information.

Don’t be scared to reach out to your Suboxone clinic to learn more about their qualifications and services.  After all, this is your life you are trying to get back, and you deserve to find the place that will best meet your needs.

1.     What are my addiction treatment and medication options?

Addiction treatment isn’t a one-size-fits-all program.  There are various treatment options and addiction medications that your Suboxone doctor can prescribe based on your lifestyle and medical needs.  For example, there are outpatient programs that offer more flexible scheduling options for someone who needs to continue working.  Not all Suboxone clinics will offer the same treatment programs, so knowing what they can offer you is key to ensuring you get the type of treatment you need.

2. How can medication-assisted treatment with Suboxone help me?

This is a great question to help you understand what you should expect from treatment and your clinic’s approach to addiction care and recovery.  It will be beneficial to hear how Suboxone medication works from someone with experience in the addiction field.

3. Will I see a Suboxone doctor every time?

Some addiction treatment programs have patients see a nurse practitioner or other clinical specialist for appointments.  You will want to know exactly who is going to be providing you care to ensure you are comfortable with your treatment.  Another question you should ask is whether you see the same provider every time, if you are looking for a more stable experience and continuity of care. 

4. What side effects have other people had with Suboxone medication?

This question can help you understand what your addiction treatment process will be like, so you have some idea of what to expect.  Every medication has side effects and everyone’s experience with addiction treatment is different, but knowing what is normal and what could be problematic can take some of the uncertainty out of treatment.  You can ease your mind and address some of your concerns right away.

5. How long does treatment typically last?

There are two schools of thought when it comes to addiction treatment.  Some Suboxone clinics work towards tapering you off of Suboxone entirely, and other clinics maintain that you may always need a small amount as a sort of placebo.  Most Suboxone doctors will determine which treatment style is best based on the specific situation of their patients.  You should speak with your Suboxone doctor about what you want out of treatment for your lifestyle in order to be on the same page about expectation for recovery.

6. How often do I need to come in for treatment?

This is entirely dependent on your treatment facility, as each has its own rules on how often a patient may come in for appointments, counseling, and other addiction treatment services.  Based on your lifestyle, you will want to know how much of your time you need to devote to treatment and what works for you.  The goal is always a successful recovery, so you should find a Suboxone clinic near you that can cater to your schedule, especially if you have work or familial responsibilities that won’t simply stop for addiction treatment.

7. Will I experience withdrawal?

This is a major concern of many people about to move forward with drug addiction treatment, as withdrawal symptoms can cause a lot of discomfort.  You should ask your Suboxone clinic about what to expect from them when it comes to withdrawal symptoms, including what they can do to alleviate harsh symptoms and how quickly you can expect your withdrawal symptoms to go away.

8. How do you determine my dosage and the best treatment program?

This is a great question to see how the Suboxone clinic tailors its addiction treatment to meet your needs.  They should have processes in place like physical evaluations and medical background checks to find what is best for you, and you should be included in that conversation.  This question is connected to an earlier question about your treatment options.  Once you know what they offer, you will want to see how exactly they can care for you.

9. Do you offer counseling services?

This question has a lot more to it than a simple yes or no answer, so here are some things you will want to get out of your conversation about counseling.  First, if they do offer counseling, you will want to know the types of therapy sessions they offer, such as behavioral therapy, individual or group counseling, educational sessions, art therapy, etc. as well as the topics they cover.

Second, you will want to know if counseling is included as part of the addiction program, as an additional program for an extra fee, whether you will be sent outside of the treatment center to a licensed psychiatrist, or if the treatment center will accept Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings as counseling.  If you currently see a counselor, another question is whether you can use their services as part of your addiction program, or if you will be required to see someone else.

Third, you will want to ask how often you will need to receive counseling services, and whether you need to come in extra days beyond your regular doctor’s appointments.  This can affect your schedule and the viability of your treatment program.

10. How can I best support my treatment and recovery?

We recommend this question to help you understand the overall expectations for your addiction treatment and learn what resources your Suboxone clinic can offer you.  This may include advice on creating a supportive home environment, how the clinic can accommodate your lifestyle, what lifestyle changes may need to be made, and if your Suboxone clinic offers any aftercare services for when your treatment ends and you are in recovery.

11. What is your confidentiality policy?

Confidentiality is another major concern for many people suffering from drug addiction.  You should know whether your clinic is required to be compliant with HIPAA regulations that protect your patient records.  Ask about their patient privacy policy.

12. What is your experience with addiction treatment and success rate?

This question is all about discovering the qualifications of your Suboxone clinic and staff, including your Suboxone doctor, and knowing they have a record of getting results.  You will want to know that your Suboxone clinic has a solid retention rate, and one way to get to know your clinic’s track record is looking at reviews from former patients and seeing their experiences.

These 12 questions are a great place to start when you are trying to figure out if a Suboxone clinic will best help you.  You always want to feel comfortable and safe with your Suboxone doctor.  Be sure to add in your own questions based on your specific medical needs and lifestyle.

As you learn more about your opioid addiction treatment, make sure to visit Buprenorphine Doctorsto help you seek out the Suboxone clinic that will change your life.