Learn about your care.

If you are considering Suboxone treatment for opioid dependence, it is completely normal to feel nervous about your first visit. Knowing what to expect can make the whole process easier.

Before your appointment, you do not need to stop using on your own or go through withdrawal first. Our provider will talk with you about your history, your goals, and what has or has not worked in the past. This is a conversation, not a test. There are no wrong answers, and nothing you share will be judged.

During the visit, your provider will complete a medical evaluation, review your medications, and discuss how Suboxone works. Suboxone contains buprenorphine and naloxone. It attaches to the same receptors in the brain that opioids target, which reduces cravings and prevents withdrawal symptoms without producing a high. It is one of the most effective treatments available for opioid use disorder.

In many cases, you can start Suboxone the same day. Your provider will determine the right starting dose and schedule a follow-up visit within the first week to check in. Early visits are more frequent so we can adjust your dose and make sure you are comfortable.

You will leave your first appointment with a clear treatment plan, a prescription if appropriate, and the knowledge that you have a care team in your corner. Most patients tell us the hardest part was making the phone call. Once they walked through the door, they wished they had done it sooner.

If you are ready to take that step, we are here. Call (276) 345-4304 or fill out our new patient form.

One of the most common questions we hear is whether insurance will cover addiction treatment. If you have Virginia Medicaid, the answer is almost always yes.

Virginia Medicaid covers medication-assisted treatment (MAT) including Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone), Sublocade (monthly buprenorphine injection), and Vivitrol (monthly naltrexone injection). These medications are considered medically necessary treatments for opioid use disorder, and Medicaid recognizes them as a covered benefit.

For most Medicaid plans, no prior authorization is needed to start Suboxone. That means your provider can prescribe it at your first visit without waiting for insurance approval. Sublocade and Vivitrol may require a prior authorization depending on your specific Medicaid managed care plan, but our team handles that paperwork for you.

Virginia Medicaid managed care plans that we work with include Anthem HealthKeepers Plus, Aetna Better Health of Virginia, Molina Healthcare, Sentara Health Plan, Optima Health, and others. Coverage details can vary slightly between plans, but the core benefit of MAT coverage is consistent across all of them.

We verify your coverage before your first visit so you know exactly what to expect. If you are uninsured, we can help you apply for Medicaid or discuss self-pay options. Cost should never be the reason someone does not get help.

Not sure about your coverage? Call us at (276) 345-4304 and we will check your eligibility while you are on the phone.

If you are exploring treatment for opioid use disorder, you have probably heard the names Suboxone, Sublocade, and Vivitrol. All three are FDA-approved, evidence-based medications, but they work in different ways. Understanding the differences can help you and your provider choose the best fit for your situation.

Suboxone is a daily medication taken as a film that dissolves under the tongue. It contains buprenorphine, which reduces cravings and blocks withdrawal symptoms, combined with naloxone, which discourages misuse. Suboxone is the most commonly prescribed MAT medication and can be started the same day as your first appointment. It works well for people who are comfortable with a daily routine and want the flexibility to adjust their dose with their provider over time.

Sublocade is a monthly injection of buprenorphine given in the clinic. It provides a steady level of medication in your system for 30 days, so you do not have to think about taking a daily dose. Sublocade is a good option for patients who have been stable on Suboxone and want the convenience of once-a-month treatment. It also removes the possibility of missed doses.

Vivitrol is a monthly injection of naltrexone, which works differently from buprenorphine. Instead of activating opioid receptors at a low level, naltrexone blocks them entirely. That means if someone uses opioids while on Vivitrol, they will not feel the effects. Vivitrol requires that you be fully detoxed from opioids for at least 7 to 10 days before your first injection, which makes the starting process different from Suboxone or Sublocade.

There is no single "best" medication. The right choice depends on your history, your lifestyle, and your goals. Our provider will walk through these options with you honestly and help you decide what makes the most sense. What matters most is that you are getting treatment that works for you.

Deciding to start medication-assisted treatment is one of the most important steps you can take for your health. Here are five things worth knowing before you begin.

1. MAT is evidence-based medicine, not a shortcut. Medication-assisted treatment is backed by decades of research and recommended by every major medical organization in the country. Using medication to treat opioid use disorder is no different from using medication to treat diabetes or high blood pressure. It is the standard of care because it works. People in MAT are significantly more likely to stay in recovery and less likely to experience fatal overdose.

2. There is no set timeline. Some people stay on medication for months and some for years. The length of treatment is a personal decision made between you and your provider. There is no pressure to taper off by a certain date. What matters is that your treatment supports a stable, healthy life on your terms.

3. You can work, drive, and live your normal life. MAT does not impair your ability to function. Patients on stable doses of Suboxone or Sublocade drive, hold jobs, care for their families, and go about their daily routines just like anyone else. Treatment is designed to help you get your life back, not put it on hold.

4. Your treatment is confidential. Federal law provides extra privacy protections for substance use disorder treatment records under 42 CFR Part 2. That means your treatment information cannot be shared without your written consent, even with other healthcare providers. Your recovery is your story to tell.

5. You are not alone. In Virginia alone, tens of thousands of people are in medication-assisted treatment right now. Across the country, that number is in the millions. Walking through our door does not make you different. It makes you someone who decided to take control of their health. That takes courage, and we respect it deeply.

If you are thinking about starting treatment, we would be glad to answer your questions. Call (276) 345-4304 or reach out online.