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Frequently Asked Questions

  • How long will my first visit last?
    For treatment of opioid addiction your first visit is generally the longest, and may last anywhere from 1 to 2 hours. Depending on your need, a prescription for buprenorphine (BPN) may be called in to your pharmacy prior to your first appointment. In this case you will be asked to bring this medication with you to your appointment. Most patients will be given their first dose of BPN in office, and allowed to go home shortly after. Your evaluation for alcohol use disorder or benzodiazepine abuse will last generally about an hour. You may be asked to have some lab work done prior to your appointment.
  • What type of payment to you accept?
    We accept cash, credit cards, and money orders. All doctor’s fees are due at the time of visit, prior to treatment.
  • Will my insurance cover the cost?
    Unfortunately, we do not participate with insurance plans at the moment.
  • What is Buprenorphine?
    Buprenorphine is an FDA approved prescription medication for treating opioid dependence. It reduces cravings and provides relief from opioid withdrawal.
  • Will I be able to drive after Buprenorphine treatment?
    Because Buprenorphine can cause drowsiness and slow reaction times, particularly during the 1st few weeks of treatment, driving yourself home after the 1st visit is generally not recommended, so you may want to make arrangements for a ride home.
  • What are withdrawal symptoms of benzodiazepine dependence? How do you manage them?
    There are no pathognomonic signs & symptoms of benzodiazepine (BZD) withdrawal. Oftentimes the presentation can be quite variable. In some cases, there may be a few observable clinical signs such as heart rate & blood pressure fluctuations. Some of the strategies that we use to manage BZD withdrawal are: 1)Gradual dose tapering 2)Medication substitution & tapering 3)Psychological support Factors that influence our treatment recommendations: 1)Dosage & type of BZD 2)nvironmental stressors 3)Amount of available support Depending on the length of use, patients can prepare for months to up to a year for the taper. Individualized treatment will be adjusted to the patients needs.
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