Starting Suboxone treatment is a big decision. You might feel nervous, hopeful, or both. That is completely normal.
Most of the fear around starting Suboxone comes from not knowing what happens next. Will it hurt? How long before it works? What do the appointments look like? Can you still go to work?
This guide walks you through every step of the process. No surprises.
The Short Answer
Suboxone treatment starts with a psychiatric evaluation where your provider assesses your history and creates a plan. Your first dose is usually given once you are in mild withdrawal. Most patients feel relief within 30 to 60 minutes. After that, you take Suboxone at home daily and see your provider for regular check-ins. The goal is to stabilize your brain chemistry so you can focus on building a life without opioids.
Step 1: Your First Appointment
The process starts with a psychiatric evaluation. This is not just about your drug use. Your provider wants to understand the full picture.
They will ask about your opioid use history. When did it start? What substances have you used? How much and how often? Have you tried to quit before? What happened?
They will also ask about your mental health. Many people with opioid use disorder also deal with depression, anxiety, or PTSD. Treating only the addiction without addressing mental health is like putting a bandage on a broken bone. It does not work long term.
At MindWell Psychiatric Services, your provider Michael Kuron, MSN, APRN, PMHNP, takes the time to listen. He has years of experience treating both addiction and mental health conditions at the same time. That matters more than most people realize.
Your first appointment usually takes 45 to 60 minutes. By the end, you will have a clear treatment plan.
Step 2: Your First Dose
You cannot take Suboxone while opioids are still active in your system. If you do, it can cause something called precipitated withdrawal, which feels much worse than regular withdrawal.
Your provider will tell you exactly how long to wait after your last opioid use before taking your first dose. This is usually 12 to 24 hours for short-acting opioids like heroin and 24 to 72 hours for longer-acting opioids like methadone or fentanyl. Fentanyl can stay in your system longer than expected, so your provider may use a specific protocol to start you safely.
Once you are in mild withdrawal, you will take your first dose. Suboxone is a film that dissolves under your tongue. It takes about 5 to 10 minutes to dissolve completely.
Most patients start feeling better within 30 to 60 minutes. The cravings ease. The body aches fade. The anxiety drops. Many patients describe it as the first time they have felt normal in months or years.
Step 3: Finding the Right Dose
Your first dose is not always your final dose. During the first week or two, your provider will adjust your dosage based on how you feel.
The goal is to find a dose that stops cravings and prevents withdrawal without making you feel sedated or foggy. Everyone is different, so this takes some fine-tuning.
You will likely have a follow-up appointment within a few days of starting. Your provider will ask how you are feeling, whether you are having cravings, and whether you noticed any side effects.
Common side effects in the first few days include headache, mild nausea, constipation, and difficulty sleeping. These usually go away as your body adjusts.
Step 4: Settling Into Treatment
Once your dose is stable, you move into the maintenance phase. This is where the real work begins.
You will take Suboxone at home every day. Unlike methadone, which requires daily visits to a clinic, Suboxone gives you the freedom to manage your treatment around your life. You can go to work, take care of your family, and start rebuilding.
Medication management appointments during this phase are typically every two to four weeks. Your provider monitors your progress, checks for side effects, and makes adjustments as needed.
This is also when mental health treatment becomes critical. If you are dealing with depression, anxiety, or PTSD, your provider can address those conditions alongside your Suboxone treatment. At MindWell, treating the whole person is not a slogan. It is the standard.
Step 5: Long-Term Recovery
How long you stay on Suboxone depends on you. There is no universal timeline.
Some patients do well with six months to a year of treatment before tapering off. Others benefit from longer-term maintenance. Research shows that patients who stay on Suboxone longer have lower relapse rates. There is no shame in taking the time you need.
When you and your provider decide it is time to taper, it will be done gradually. Slowly reducing your dose over weeks or months minimizes withdrawal symptoms and gives your brain time to adjust.
Your provider will never pressure you to stop before you are ready. The goal is long-term recovery, not an arbitrary finish line.
What Suboxone Treatment Costs
Many insurance plans cover Suboxone treatment. At MindWell, we accept most major insurance plans including Medicaid, Medicare, Tricare, Cigna, Aetna, United Healthcare, and more.
If you are a veteran, Suboxone treatment may be covered through TRICARE or CHAMPVA. MindWell is a veteran-owned practice, and we understand the unique challenges veterans face with both addiction and mental health.
If you do not have insurance, cash-pay options are available. Do not let cost be the reason you keep suffering.
Why MindWell for Suboxone Treatment?
Not all Suboxone providers are the same. Some hand you a prescription and send you on your way. That is not treatment. That is dispensing.
At MindWell, Suboxone treatment is built around you. Your provider takes the time to understand your addiction, your mental health, your life circumstances, and your goals. Your treatment plan reflects all of that.
MindWell offers both in-person and telehealth appointments. Same-day appointments are available so you do not have to wait when you are ready to start.
Take the First Step Today
You do not have to keep living this way. Recovery is possible, and it starts with one appointment.
FAQs
How quickly does Suboxone work?
Most patients feel significant relief from withdrawal and cravings within 30 to 60 minutes of their first dose.
Will Suboxone make me feel high?
No. When taken as prescribed, Suboxone does not produce a high. It occupies opioid receptors to prevent withdrawal and cravings without the euphoric effects.
Can I still work while on Suboxone?
Yes. Once your dose is stabilized, usually within the first week, most patients function normally at work and in daily life.
What if I relapse during treatment?
Relapse does not mean failure. If it happens, be honest with your provider so they can adjust your treatment plan. Recovery is not a straight line.
Do I have to come to the office every day?
No. Unlike methadone, Suboxone is prescribed for you to take at home. You will have regular follow-up appointments, but daily visits are not required.
