It might be different wherever you are. Here in Wisconsin where I live, doctors get the training about how to deal with Suboxone and it is usually required that you do the first dose at the doctors office and since you may not know how you react, you may want to take at least that day off. My doctor did not require me to do any after care like meetings and such, but it sure as heck increases your odds of recovery no matter what route you take. My insurance covered everything from the doctor's appointment to the prescription itself, so you may want to check into that.
So have you been off the pills for a week already then? If so, just so you know, the worst of the physical withdrawls are over. In my opinion, Suboxone's best effect is it makes withdrawls a lot easier to deal with, but if you've been a week off then honestly the worst of the physical withdrawls are past you. Secondly, Suboxone does help with cravings and depression from addiction, but so does aftercare. You may want to try that first honestly. I took the Suboxone route as a last resort and it should only be used as such. Have you tried to quit before? If this is your first or so time, then stick it out like others above had said.
If you decide in the long run to choose the Suboxone route, within the first week of taking them come up with a set tapering plan and stick with it. No matter the taper, you will feel a little withdrawl (especially cravings) when you're done, so you might as well taper and be done with them ASAP. Good luck, I'm sure you'll figure out the best plan for you. Hopefully your insurance will help with the doctor's appointment...if so...that's good, and for me, to get 60 8mg Suboxone, my co-pay was $40 at the pharmacy and if ya know anything about getting medication at a pharmacy that's a pretty expensive co-pay, so that's another good reason to be done with the Suboxone right away. Hopefully insurance will cover it all because the pharmacy told me if I didn't have the insurance the 60 pills would have cost me about $300! Nuts! Cold turkey is free though! haha Good luck I really hope you can do this.
BQ
Both eagle and slapper gave you some great advice .Sub can be a great tool towards recovery but its just that a tool.There are WD coming off it for some mild for others they are very bad What and how much and for how long have you been using ? How many times have you tried to get off in the past?
Yes if you do a search for suboxone dr.'s in your area that is a medical dr. most likely you will not have mandatory aftercare, but prior to refill you most likely will be drug tested which then could result in aftercare if you test positive. before you go the suboxone route you should know you will then become addicted to the sub and go through tapering that will lead to WD depending on your last dose and the length of time you are taking the sub. Please read through the health noes (top right) before you make your decision also read up on the thomas recipe to help with WD. If I were you I would stick it out, you are almost there. I am tapering from sub right now and with i stuck it out. After care should not be avoided if you are serious about quiting it usually is the difference between making it and relapse.
what ever your choice good luck you can do it
ps suboxone is very exp and the dr fee will not go through the insurance
Yes. Sometimes a requirement for therapy is to have counseling or attend NA or AA.......but you do not have to have inpatient services to have suboxone prescribed.