Buprenorphine vs Methadone: Which Treatment Is Right for Opioid Addiction?

When someone is ready to seek help for opioid addiction, one of the first questions they face is the difference between buprenorphine vs methadone. Both medications are proven, evidence-based treatments for opioid use disorder—but they work differently, are accessed differently, and fit different lifestyles.

Understanding these differences can help patients and families across Tennessee—from Maury City, Dyer, Piperton, Michie, Guys, and Gates—make a confident, informed decision about treatment.

Recovery for Tennesseans by Tennesseans in Recovery

Recovery Care of Columbia provides evidence-based Suboxone treatment through secure telemedicine, staffed by licensed Tennessee clinicians. No clinic visits required.

• Serving all communities across Tennessee
• Accredited by The Joint Commission
• Owned and operated by people in long-term recovery

Register for telemedicine Suboxone treatment using your TennCare Medicaid, commercial insurance, or choose a payment plan. (A sliding-scale program is also available) Click here if you’re a returning patient.

What Are Buprenorphine and Methadone?

Before comparing buprenorphine vs methadone, it helps to understand what each medication does.

Buprenorphine

Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist, most commonly prescribed as Suboxone® (buprenorphine + naloxone). It reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms without producing the same high as full opioids.

Key characteristics:

• Ceiling effect that lowers overdose risk
• Can be prescribed via telemedicine
• Taken at home
• Strong safety profile

Methadone

Methadone is a full opioid agonist that also reduces withdrawal and cravings, but it acts more like traditional opioids.

Key characteristics:

• No ceiling effect
• Typically dispensed daily at licensed methadone clinics
• Requires in-person visits, especially early in treatment

Both medications are recognized by SAMHSA as effective treatments for opioid use disorder (samhsa.gov).

Buprenorphine vs Methadone: How They Work in the Body

The biggest difference in buprenorphine vs methadone is how strongly they activate opioid receptors.

Buprenorphine’s Partial Activation

• Relieves withdrawal without intense sedation
• Stabilizes brain chemistry
• Reduces misuse potential
• Lower risk of respiratory depression

Methadone’s Full Activation

• Fully activates opioid receptors
• Can be very effective for long-term, severe dependence
• Higher overdose risk if misused or combined with other substances

The FDA highlights buprenorphine’s safety advantages, especially for outpatient and telemedicine-based care (fda.gov).

Access to Treatment: Telemedicine vs Clinic Visits

One of the most important real-world differences in buprenorphine vs methadone is access.

Buprenorphine Access

• Prescribed through virtual appointments
• No daily clinic visits
• Ideal for rural or working patients
• Fits family and job responsibilities

Methadone Access

• Requires attendance at a licensed methadone clinic
• Often daily visits early in treatment
• Limited clinic locations in many Tennessee communities

For people without reliable transportation—or those seeking privacy—buprenorphine treatment is often more realistic.

Safety and Overdose Risk

Safety is a major consideration when comparing buprenorphine vs methadone.

Buprenorphine Safety

• Built-in ceiling effect
• Lower overdose risk
• Safer if doses are adjusted
• Strong option for fentanyl exposure

Methadone Safety

• Effective but higher overdose risk
• Requires careful monitoring
• Dangerous when combined with alcohol or benzodiazepines

The DEA emphasizes the importance of proper prescribing and monitoring for all opioid treatment medications.

Reclaim Your Freedom—Make the Switch from Methadone to Suboxone Today

• Register for virtual Suboxone treatment with TennCare Medicaid insurance
• Register for online Suboxone therapy using private health insurance
• Schedule a virtual Suboxone doctor appointment as a self-pay patient
• Returning patient? Click here to register
• Apply for our Sliding-Scale Program
• View all insurance plans we accept
• View our affordable self-pay program with biweekly and monthly payments
• We accept all TennCare Medicaid insurance plans, including Amerigroup Community Care, BlueCare, United Healthcare Community Plan, and Wellpoint Community Care
• We accept all major private insurance plans (from your employer or Healthcare.gov) including BCBS, Cigna, Ambetter, and United Healthcare.

Not sure if your insurance covers treatment? Click here to check your insurance coverage now.

Experience a safe transition from hydrocodone, oxycodone, OxyContin, heroin, fentanyl, methadone, morphine, Kratom, 7-OH (7-Hydroxy-opioids), Tramadol, Opana, codeine, oxymorphone, Percocet, and other opioids.

Call or text us at (931) 548-3062 to speak to someone about our telemedicine Suboxone program. You can also message us securely on the Spruce Health mobile app.

Lifestyle Fit: Which Works Better Day-to-Day?

Buprenorphine May Be Better If You:

• Work full-time
• Care for children or family
• Live far from a clinic
• Want discreet treatment
• Prefer virtual appointments

Methadone May Be Better If You:

• Have not stabilized on other treatments
• Benefit from daily structure
• Have access to a nearby clinic
• Need intensive, in-person oversight

There is no one-size-fits-all answer in the buprenorphine vs methadone discussion—only what works best for each individual.

Transitioning From Other Opioids

Both medications can help patients transition safely from:

• Fentanyl
• Heroin
• Oxycodone
• Hydrocodone
• Morphine
• Methadone
• Kratom and 7-OH

Buprenorphine transitions are carefully timed to avoid precipitated withdrawal, while methadone transitions may require structured clinic-based induction.

Why Many Tennesseans Choose Buprenorphine Treatment

Across Tennessee, more patients are choosing buprenorphine because it removes barriers to care.

At Recovery Care of Columbia, buprenorphine treatment comes with the experience you can trust, including:

• Accredited by The Joint Commission
• Clinic owners in long-term recovery
• Over 100+ Google Reviews (from real patients)
• Recipient of Tennessee’s very first Virtual OBOT medical license
• Over 1000 patients served since 2021
• 2025 regional award winner for the “Best Substance Abuse Facility” by Best of Tennessee
• Same-day Suboxone prescriptions
• A kind and caring staff, some who are in recovery
• Overnight Suboxone delivery available in most areas (the pharmacy charges a delivery fee)
• A compassionate team of caring doctors, nurse practitioners, counselors, and administrators who genuinely care about your recovery.
• No clinic visits, ever. 100% online/virtual Suboxone treatment statewide
• Same-day appointments available every Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (based on availability)
• Evening appointments available every Monday and Wednesday until 9:00 PM
• Compassionate, stigma-free, judgement-free care
• No referral needed

Our helpful staff is happy to answer any questions you may have. Call us or send us a text at (931) 548-3062, or message us securely using the Spruce Health mobile app.

Worried about starting online addiction treatment? Learn what to expect during your first Suboxone telemedicine appointment.

Patients can easily enroll through our commercial insurance program, TennCare Suboxone appointments, or self-pay treatment options. Many also review insurance and pricing ahead of time or choose to meet our supportive team before starting. You can also explore real patient experiences by reading our five-star reviews.

FAQs: Buprenorphine vs Methadone

Is buprenorphine as effective as methadone?

Yes. For many patients, buprenorphine is equally effective with added safety and convenience benefits.

Can buprenorphine treat fentanyl addiction?

Yes. Buprenorphine is widely used for fentanyl-related opioid use disorder when started properly.

Do I have to go to a clinic every day on methadone?

Early in treatment, yes. Take-home doses may be earned over time.

Is telemedicine treatment legitimate?

Absolutely. Telemedicine buprenorphine treatment is supported by SAMHSA, the FDA, and the DEA.

Register Today – Get Seen Today – Receive a Suboxone Prescription Today

• TennCare Medicaid addiction treatment coverage
• Commercial insurance Suboxone program acceptance
• A payment plan for self-pay telemedicine Suboxone
• A sliding-scale program for eligible patients

Thanks to our unique virtual medical license, anyone living in East Tennessee, Middle Tennessee, or West Tennessee can safely and legally access online Suboxone treatment using any smartphone, tablet, or computer, without ever having to visit a clinic.

You can review insurance and pricing details before scheduling, so there are no surprises. 

If you have TennCare Medicaid insurance, your treatment and medication costs are typically $0. If you have commercial health insurance, we will provide you with a treatment cost estimate before scheduling your first telemedicine appointment. If you don’t have health insurance, we offer biweekly and monthly payment plans. 

Addiction-Related Articles

• Methadone or Suboxone: A Complete Guide for Tennessee Adults Seeking Real Recovery
• Subutex vs. Suboxone: Understanding the Differences
• Inpatient Treatment vs. Outpatient Suboxone Maintenance: What’s Best for You?

External Resources

• National Institute on Drug Abuse
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
• Kratom/7-OH/7-hydroxymitragynine addiction is another opioid addiction-related issue facing Tennessean’s, thanks to it being readily available and unregulated. Learn more about Kratom addiction and virtual treatment options in Tennessee.
• DEA.gov – Opioid Addiction Resources
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | CDC.gov
• National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare