Opioids Do you have to go to a methadone clinic to be prescribed buprenorphine?

[Bomb319]

I have been addicted to IV opiates (all kinds) for a few years on and off but mostly on. There have been many, many times where I felt I could easily and willingly quit if I just didn't have to deal with the horrible withdrawal symptoms. But knowing that to get methadone here (BC, Canada) I would have to go find a special clinic, get put on a waiting list, have to deal with assessments and crap for potentially weeks before I can feel better is a huge deterrent. It's incredibly off-putting, I can't muster the motivation, and if I'm feeling sick I would definately not be able to get the energy to do it. If I knew I could just go to a clinic, tell them the full story of my addiction (never told any doctors) and walk out of the office with a piece of paper for bupe, I would be THRILLED. I could carry on all my work, put this crap out of my mind, and at least get some time back to recover. I just can't handle the thought of waiting for weeks to get better and I fall back on buying H every time because it's a sure thing, easier and I am still well enough to get out and about. So is it the same with bupe? Do I have to resign myself to a wait of weeks, multiple visits and crap until I can even get a good starting dose?

 

[The Dope Man]

all you have to do is find a doctor that specializes in addiction treatment. there pretty easy ti find and common. its not like methadone. you just go there and talk to the doc and take a drug test ( you have to pass for EVERY drug ) and hell wright you a scrip you fill at the pharmacy like a regular script. buut youll proab;y get drug tested once a week or so

 

[Swimmingdancer]

^The Dope Man: maybe you didn't notice where the OP lives?

Bomb319:

No you don't. You don't even actually have to go to a methadone clinic to be prescribed methadone. You just need a doctor who is licensed to prescribe it. It's very hard to find methadone-prescribing doctors who are taking new patients aside from the clinics though, it's probably a little easier to find a buprenorphine-prescribing doctor. A doctor just has to take like a 2 hr online course in order to be able to prescribe buprenorphine for opioid maintenenace. Suboxone also has less restrictions than methadone.

I would definitely suggest you try the buprenorphine before the methadone. If you go to a private clinic they can often get you on methadone or Suboxone much faster than a public clinic, but you have to pay a monthly clinic fee (it's really not very much though, especially when you think of how much money you would spend on heroin).

You can get the methadone itself covered by Pharmacare if you are elibigle (if you don't have Pharmacare sign up for it, you have to have filed last year's taxes though). Unfortunately Suboxone is not covered by Pharmacare, unless your doctor is a methadone doctor and fills out a form saying methadone doesn't work for you and you need Suboxone. But I'd still give Suboxone a shot first, the benefits outweigh the additional costs.

NOTE: to anyone reading this info is only applicable for BC Canada.

 

[Bomb319]

Wow, that is incredibly helpful. Thank you so much! I assume you need a family Dr. though - not just a walk inÉ

 

[Swimmingdancer]

It can't just be any Dr, they do have to be licensed to prescribe Suboxone. There are a number of Suboxone/methadone clinics, that would be easiest. I PM'd you a list.

 

[justbecause]

Go to the Suboxone website, they have Dr referrals for your area. If you can ask for the pills, the strips don't seem to have equal dosages that run the length of the strip (more on one end than the other - sometimes).

 

[Swimmingdancer]

Go to the Suboxone website, they have Dr referrals for your area.

No they don't, they only have US listings. The OP lives in Canada.

 

[justbecause]

My mistake. It's usually the U.S. who makes things difficult, surprised to see that in Canada. Thanks for correcting me.