If you’re preparing for your first online Suboxone treatment appointment, you likely have questions about how the process works, what you’ll need to discuss, and what happens next. Eleanor Health has designed our virtual appointments to be as comfortable, accessible, and judgment-free as possible.
Starting Suboxone treatment online means you can begin your recovery journey from the privacy of your own home, without the need to travel to a clinic or rearrange your daily responsibilities. Here’s what you can expect during your first appointment and how our team will support you every step of the way.
During your first online Suboxone appointment, you’ll meet with a licensed medical provider to review your health history, discuss your treatment goals, and determine whether Suboxone is appropriate for you. If medication is recommended, your provider will explain the induction process and create a personalized treatment plan that may include counseling and peer support.
Before your first online Suboxone appointment, there are a few simple steps you can take to make the experience as smooth as possible.
1. Choose a quiet, private space. Choose somewhere you’ll feel comfortable speaking openly with your medical provider. This could be your bedroom, your living room, or even your (parked!) car if it helps you feel more confident knowing you won’t be overheard.
2. Ensure reliable technology. You’ll receive a secure link to join your telehealth session through our HIPAA-compliant platform, so your privacy is always protected.
3. Have your insurance card and a list of your current and past medications ready. If opioids have been part of recent use, honesty helps providers create the safest and most effective treatment plan. This information is essential to help your provider create the most effective treatment plan for your needs.
Your first online Suboxone appointment will typically last 45 to 60 minutes. You’ll meet with a licensed medical provider who specializes in treating opioid use disorder.
This appointment isn’t just about getting a prescription. It’s about getting to know you, and building a foundation for your treatment.
The provider will review medical history, current health concerns, and any previous experiences with substance use treatment. This conversation helps identify factors that may affect care, such as other medical conditions, mental health needs, or past treatment approaches.
Treatment goals are also discussed during this visit. Some people aim for complete abstinence, while others focus on reducing use or regaining stability in daily life. Treatment plans are tailored to what feels realistic and supportive for each person.
If your provider determines that Suboxone makes sense for your situation, they’ll explain how it works and what you can expect. Suboxone contains buprenorphine, which acts on the same receptors on your brain as other opioids but does not produce the same euphoric effects. It helps reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms, allowing focus on recovery rather than managing physical discomfort.
Before the appointment ends, the provider will outline next steps based on the assessment. This may include guidance on when and how to start medication, scheduling follow-up appointments, or connecting with additional members of the care team such as therapists, peer recovery specialists, or care managers.
Follow-up plans vary based on individual needs, but the goal is to ensure ongoing support, clear communication, and continuation of care as treatment begins.
The induction phase is the transition from opioid use to Suboxone, and it requires careful timing and monitoring. Providers typically recommend starting Suboxone after mild to moderate withdrawal symptoms begin, to reduce the risk of precipitated withdrawal, which is usually at least 12 to 24 hours after your last use of short-acting opioids (or longer for long-acting opioids like methadone).
During your first appointment, your provider will assess where you are in the withdrawal process using a tool called the Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale (COWS). This helps determine if it’s safe to start your first dose. If you’re not quite ready, your provider will schedule a follow-up appointment for the next day or guide you through starting at home once symptoms appear.
Once you take your first dose, the medication typically begins working within 20 to 60 minutes. Most people feel significant relief from withdrawal symptoms within a few hours. Your provider will check in with you regularly during this initial phase, often daily or every few days, to ensure your dose is effective and to make any necessary adjustments.
Eleanor Health’s whole-person approach means you won’t just receive medication and be sent on your way. You’ll have access to your care team throughout the induction process, and they’ll be available to answer questions, address concerns, and provide support as your body adjusts to the medication.
Suboxone treatment is just one part of a broader recovery approach. Research shows that combining medication with counseling, peer support, and behavioral therapies leads to better outcomes for many people, which is why Eleanor Health takes a holistic approach to your recovery.
After your first appointment and initial induction, care may involve a multidisciplinary team that includes a medical provider, therapist, nurse, peer recovery specialist(someone who’s been through recovery themselves), and care manager to help coordinate everything. Therapy focuses on understanding patterns of use, building coping skills, and addressing underlying challenges such as stress or trauma. You’ll learn to recognize triggers, change unhelpful patterns, and build skills to manage stress and cravings.
Many people begin treatment with more frequent appointments, often around three per week, to provide additional support during early recovery. You’re adjusting to the medication, addressing the challenges that led to starting treatment in the first place, and trying to build new habits while your brain chemistry is still stabilizing.
As stability increases, appointment frequency often decreases. Over time, care plans are adjusted to balance ongoing support with greater independence. Timelines vary based on individual progress and needs.
Your first online Suboxone appointment is just the beginning of your recovery journey. After this initial visit, you’ll continue to meet regularly with your care team, adjusting your treatment plan as needed based on your progress and evolving needs.
Throughout your journey with Eleanor Health, you’ll have access to your care team whenever you need support. Recovery from opioid use disorder is possible, and starting treatment is an important first step toward stability and improved wellbeing.
If you’re considering Suboxone treatment or have questions about what to expect, reach out to Eleanor Health. Our recovery specialists are ready to listen, answer your questions, and help you take the first step toward healing. Call or contact us online to begin your journey to recovery.
National Institute on Drug Abuse. Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale. 2015. https://nida.nih.gov/sites/default/files/ClinicalOpiateWithdrawalScale.pdf
Ray, Lara A., et al. “Combined Pharmacotherapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Adults with Alcohol or Substance Use Disorders.” JAMA Network Open, vol. 3, no. 6, 19 June 2020, jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/article-abstract/2767358, https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.8279.
Thomas, Scot, et al. “Suboxone Precipitated Withdrawal: When to Take Suboxone.” American Addiction Centers, americanaddictioncenters.org/suboxone/precipitated-withdrawal.
This content is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Treatment plans and timelines vary based on individual needs and should be determined by a qualified healthcare provider.
