How to Find a Suboxone or MAT Provider in Texas

For the tens of thousands in the state that have succumbed to addiction or dependency, finding a Suboxone or MAT provider in Texas can literally be a matter of life and death. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that in 2018 alone, 1,402 Texas residents succumbed to fatal opioid overdose. The agency also reports that intravenous opioid drug use has led to a significant increase in a variety of life-threatening conditions, such as HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, and even neonatal abstinence withdrawal syndrome.

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) has become a viable treatment resource for people struggling with opioid dependency. It involves the use of certain FDA-approved medications to treat cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Mediations that are commonly used in MAT include Suboxone® (buprenorphine and naloxone), Vivitrol® (monthly injectable naltrexone) and methadone.

If you or someone you care about is struggling with opioid abuse or dependency, here are some tips on how to find a Suboxone or MAT provider in Texas.

Consult Your Doctor about Your MAT Options

Your doctor can help you determine your eligibility for opioid maintenance medications and help you figure out how to find a Texas Suboxone or MAT provider close to you. They may even be able to provide treatment themselves. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has outlined specific eligibility requirements to start a course of MAT. General criteria includes, but may not be limited to:

• A Diagnosis of Opioid Use Disorder by A Licensed Physician
• No Contraindications to Buprenorphine Treatment
• An Expectation of Compliance with Treatment Protocols
• Understanding of the Benefits and Risks of Buprenorphine Treatment
• Willingness to Follow Safety Precautions for Buprenorphine Treatment
• Agreement to Buprenorphine Treatment after a Review of Treatment Options

The Clinical Guidelines for the Use of Buprenorphine in the Treatment of Opioid Addiction Consensus Panel recommends that physicians periodically and regularly screen all patients for substance use and substance-related problems, not just those patients who fit the stereotypical picture of addiction.

The Texas Department of Health and Human Services indicates the following eligibility requirements for different MAT resources

• Suboxone or Buprenorphine – Anyone who has been diagnosed with opioid dependency. Buprenorphine is prescribed or dispensed in a physician’s office. Physicians can offer buprenorphine if they have a Drug Addiction Treatment Act of 2000 waiver.
• Vivitrol or Naltrexone – People with an opioid use disorder who have completely withdrawn from opioids and have 7-10 days without opioid use can begin Naltrexone.
• Methadone – People with a moderate or severe opioid use disorder. Methadone users must be treated under the supervision of a physician.

Specific eligibility will vary on a case-by-case basis, based on other factors like insurance.

Contact A Treatment Center Directly

You can also reach out to Texas addiction treatment centers to find out if they offer medication-assisted treatment. One phone call to an admissions representative should be able to answer many of your questions, including their services, what insurances they take, their credentials, whether they have doctors on staff and any other inquiries you may have. Your doctor may ultimately refer you to a treatment center that offers MAT for a variety of reasons. They may not be licensed to provide MAT, or they may be at their patient eligibility cap. You or your loved one can learn how to find a Suboxone or MAT provider in Texas by contacting treatment centers in your area.

Texas MAT at Recovery Unplugged Austin

If you or someone you care about needs to know how to find a Texas Suboxone or MAT provider, Recovery Unplugged is ready to help guide you toward the care you need at your Austin location. We are a licensed and reputable MAT provider staffed with trained and experienced doctors, compassionate and supportive nurses and an attentive support staff. We will help you or your loved one determine whether or not medication-assisted treatment is the right option for you and provide comprehensive care, should you need it.

It’s important to realize, however, that medication-assisted treatment is not meant to replace any other element of care, such as behavioral rehab or counseling. Recovery Unplugged Austin offers MAT as part of a comprehensive treatment program that may also include detoxification and behavioral rehab. Contact us today to learn more about what we can do for you or the person you care about.