VA and suboxone treatment

[osu128]

does the VA (Veteran Benefit Adm.) pay for suboxone treatment?

[JohnnyAmerica]

I want to clear up a VERY common misnomer.

Most opiate addicts began our addiction after being legitimately prescribed opiates for pain.  As time goes by the type and amount is increased to meet the tolerance our receptors build up.

If you still are dealing with chronic pain, and it is the reason behind your "addiction" then do not use the word addiction. Tell the doctor you need pain management without "pure" opiates. Ask them to prescribe the generic version of Subutex, Bupernorphine for your pain. It works well and is much easier to taper off.  You will feel normal.

A doctor DOES NOT need special certification to prescribe Subutex for PAIN. There is a toll free no for the DEA that is dedicated to Suboxone/Subutex questions. You can call it to verify this info.

[unclebuster]

Every va is different they have different substance abuse plans and different amounts of money to spend on it there are no set budgetgs its all discretionary spending so it varries sometimes they have inhouse trwatment and soometimes they contract out. You wouldn't be able to get a for sure correct answer from different vets from different hospitals most likely your sone hospital has its own plan of action on drug addicts some hospitals actually don't treat drug addicts at all they simply send them to the nearest state facility. I takee a portion of my compensation and pay for the methadone clinic myself because the va here has a zero tolerance policy on drug addiction tough love type situation which isn't helpful at all. They threaten me with review of my case . But find me a vet with full blown ptsd that doesn't self medicate and ill show you a fraudulent claim. I was very aggresive with my claim and got 100% sc first try permanent and total so they would have to prove fraud to tKe my comp and since I was seperated on a medical that's kind of hard for them to do but they tried and I got mad and stuck with my student loans youj have to treat these people like enemies that's what they are like all beauracrcies the va has become about the wants and needs of the employees instead of the people it eas crfeated to serve us the vets so f em . Anyway call your va and ask the substance abuse clinic don't take no **** and its alright to be forceful aand mean that's your kid and he didn't deserve that war. Never surrender

[Harv1709]

If u call the sucide hotline threw the va they will get him a appointment that day and can start the suboxon program free of charge 12 hrs after his last dose of the pain meds!!! That's what I did and I have 0 disability but am a oif vet. Good luck

[bmdad]

The VA does offer assistance for for substance abuse.They actually have quite a few programs due to the substance abuse rates being so high in Veterans. Does your son currently go through the VA for medical? The VA will not help pay a private practice or a public pharmacy for the medication but they will handle everything within the VA Health Care System and they do offer suboxone. I think they have been using for about 5 years or so.  If he hasn't applied for health benefits yet he will have to get the paperwork in first. If you go to www.va.gov you can find a form to print off and mail in. (he will be accepted without a problem since he is a Combat Veteran). Once it's mailed in he will get a letter in the mail probably within a few weeks stating the date of his physical. He has to go to this physical in order to start being seen by the VA. They then require you to get a physical at least once a year in order to keep your benefits. During the first physical he will see a doctor who will more than likely be his primary care physician. From then on no matter what ailments he may have he has to go through his primary care physician first. He will then refer him to the proper specialist if he sees fit. Being that your son is already on suboxone, I don't see why he wouldn't refer him. I'm not sure where you live but there may be a doctor in your local clinic that can prescribe it or you may have to travel to your nearest VA hospital. It's a possibility that he may decide that he needs inpatient rehab instead. I'm not sure how you or your son would feel about that, but in all honesty, it may be the best route. Suboxone can be a great program but down the road he will have to withdraw from it also.
If you need any help finding any paperwork needed to get your son started with the VA Health System, please let me know. I've been going through the VA for about 5 years now. They do have some stipulations on who can get coverage but I'm almost positive he will qualify. I am a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom and have a 10% disability rating and qualified. I am also almost positive you don't have to have any sort of disability rating to qualify especially being a combat Veteran.
Let me know if you need any help or have any questions.
Best of luck!

Brian

[vetfather]

my son has served two tours in Iraq and has opiod dependency, being treated privately with Suboxone.  The cost is so high, does the VA offer any assistance to its vets with detoxing from pain meds, and help pay for the suboxone?  What assistance is available?  We are at a critical stage and need help badly.

[IBKleen]

Hi,

I don't know that they do. A physician has to have a certification to prescribe. Your best bet is to call the VA and ask.

You may want to discuss your story here first and ask about Suboxone before you go on it. There are many members here who have gone on the program and you get a "heads up" before you start.

Best of luck.