Nearly 7 million Americans are diagnosed with opioid use disorder, and only a quarter of them are receiving treatment. Owing to the ever-increasing opioid crisis and overdose-related deaths, the Federal guidelines have been relaxed, allowing more doctors to prescribe Suboxone. Now, the doctors who can prescribe Suboxone include (provided they have a DEA license)
- Doctors
- Nurse Practitioners
- Physician assistants
- Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Certified Nurse-Midwife
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetics
Read on to find out if your family doctor can prescribe Suboxone and which license and accreditations to check when obtaining a prescription.
Table of Contents
Understanding the X-Waiver And Drug Addiction Treatment Act of 2000
Suboxone (Buprenorphine/Naloxone) is an FDA-approved drug for opioid addiction treatment. Historically, practitioners needed to get a special X-waiver to prescribe this medication. This was obtained after completing a special training program. X-waiver limited the number of doctors who could prescribe Suboxone.
Since June 2023, these guidelines have been updated. What doctors can prescribe Suboxone? Now, any doctor with a valid DEA license can prescribe this medication provided they have graduated from a program with an opioid or substance use disorder management in their curriculum. Yes, this means any DEA-certified family doctor or physician can prescribe this medicine.
Looking for suboxone doctors in NJ? Schedule an appointment with an experienced certified doctor today!
Finding Doctors Who Can Prescribe Suboxone
Did you know that during COVID-19, laws were relaxed, allowing healthcare providers also to dispense online prescriptions? This means many doctors are prescribing Suboxone in different settings:
Telehealth Or Online Suboxone Doctors
You can get a hassle-free online prescription through telehealth doctors. After evaluation, the prescription will be e-mailed to you. You can take this prescription to your nearest pharmacy to get your medicine.
Outpatient Suboxone Clinics
In the outpatient setting, the doctor will administer the medication under his supervision and allow you to take the rest of the doses home. This minimizes any side effects associated with Suboxone administration.
ER Doctors At Hospitals
Doctors at emergency departments in hospitals can write you a 3-day prescription. During this time, you will be referred to rehab for full opioid addiction treatment.
Same-day Prescriptions from a Licensed Doctor
Why Do Doctors Prescribe Suboxone?
The doctors prescribe suboxone (Buprenorphine/Naloxone) for opioid use disorder because it can:
- Eases withdrawal symptoms
- Reduces drug cravings
- Helps in pain management
- Has low abuse potential
- The Naloxone component in Suboxone prevents overdose
What Do Doctors Consider Before Prescribing Buprenorphine/Naloxone?
The doctor may ask you the following questions:
- When was the last time you took opiate?
- Any medical history
- If you are expecting or planning to become pregnant
- If you are breastfeeding more
- If you are taking any prescription or other drugs
- Diagnosis for co-occurring disorders
The doctors will also require you to have detoxed from drugs and be in an active withdrawal phase before beginning the treatment.
An Overview of the Suboxone Treatment Process
Before taking your first medication, you will be required to stop taking opioids.
| Type of opioid | Example | When to stop taking |
| Short-acting opioids | Heroin, Codeine, Hydrocodone | At least 12-24 hours before the treatment |
| Long-acting opioids | Methadone, Morphine, Fentanyl | Minimum 36 hours More than 48 hours for Methadone |
The withdrawal symptoms will be monitored through the COWS Clinical Opioid Withdrawal Scale. You should feel at least three symptoms before taking your first dose:
- Anxious or irritable
- Very restless
- Enlarged pupils
- Chills and sweating
- Body and joint aches
- Nausea or vomiting
- Cramps and diarrhea
- Shaking, twitching, or tremors
The Suboxone doctor will start the treatment once you are in the active withdrawal phase. Your treatment plan may look like this:
Initial Dose
You may be started with a 2 mg dose. If you do not feel better, the dose will be increased gradually until the withdrawal symptoms begin to subside.
Maintenance Phase
The doctors will adjust your dose according to how well you tolerate the medication. Usually, a dose of 16mg is prescribed to be taken once a day.
Suboxone Treatment Online
Healing Beyond Suboxone Treatment
Suboxone is only a part of opioid addiction treatment. For holistic healing, it is important to heal the spiritual, physical, and mental health aspects of addiction.
Suboxone is only a part of opioid addiction treatment. For holistic healing, it is important to heal the spiritual, physical, and mental health aspects of addiction.
Opioid addiction changes the brain, leading to dependence on opioids to feel good. During abstinence, people often face these psychological withdrawal symptoms:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Feeling low
- Mood swings
- Extreme aggression
Feel free to talk to a licensed therapist if you feel any of the above-mentioned symptoms. Some therapies beneficial for opioid use disorder include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavioral therapy
- Individual therapy
- Group therapy
- Family therapy
Furthermore, you can gain valuable insights to make your recovery long-lasting through relapse prevention and aftercare plans.
Online Suboxone Doctors At ChoicePoint
ChoicePoint is a leading drug, opioid, and alcohol addiction treatment center in Fairlawn, New Jersey. We have helped several clients fight opioid addiction who are now leading a sober lifestyle. Our state and DEA-licensed doctors dispense hassle-free online prescriptions in compliance with the latest ASAM guidelines.
Call today at 844.445.2565. To schedule an appointment.
Queries Related To Who Can Prescribe Suboxone
We often get these queries related to Suboxone prescriptions:
Can A GP Prescribe Buprenorphine?
Yes, general physicians can prescribe Buprenorphine if they have a valid license.
What Is The 3-day Rule For Suboxone?
The three-day rule allows ER doctors and practitioners to dispense non-renewable suboxone prescriptions for 3 days. During this time, the patient is referred to a detoxification program in a specialized addiction treatment facility.
Can Nurse Practitioners Prescribe Suboxone in Florida?
Yes, nurse practitioners can prescribe suboxone if they have valid DEA licenses.
Is Suboxone Safe?
Yes, suboxone is safe for both long-term and short-term use.
SOURCES
- NIDA. 2023, August 7. Only 1 in 5 U.S. adults with opioid use disorder received medications to treat it in 2021. Retrieved from https://nida.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/2023/08/only-1-in-5-us-adults-with-opioid-use-disorder-received-medications-to-treat-it-in-2021 on 2024
- Federal Register, Practice Guidelines for the Administration of Buprenorphine for Treating Opioid Use Disorder. Available from: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/04/28/2021-08961/practice-guidelines-for-the-administration-of-buprenorphine-for-treating-opioid-use-disorder
- Center for Addiction Medicine and policy available from: https://penncamp.org/education/what-is-an-x-waiver-and-who-needs-one/
Medical Disclaimer:
ChoicePoint aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance use disorder and mental health issues. Our team of licensed medical professionals research, edit and review the content before publishing. However, this information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For medical advice please consult your physicians or ChoicePoint's qualified staff.
Same-day Suboxone Prescription Available
Same-day Suboxone Prescription Available
