Does Clonidine Help With Opioid Withdrawal?

Does clonidine help with opioid withdrawal? This is a common question among people in Tennessee who are struggling with opioid dependence and are afraid of the pain, anxiety, and physical symptoms that come with withdrawal. Many people hear about clonidine as a “withdrawal medication” and wonder whether it’s enough to get them through detox safely—or if there are better, more effective options.

At Recovery Care of Columbia, we speak with patients every day from cities like Oak Hill, Ridgetop, Millersville, Spring Hill, Smyrna, Byrdstown, and Celina, who are searching for relief from withdrawal and a realistic path to recovery. Understanding what clonidine can and cannot do is an important first step.

Accredited, Virtual Addiction Treatment for Tennessee

Nashville Addiction Clinic provides evidence-based Suboxone treatment through secure telemedicine, staffed by licensed Tennessee clinicians. No clinic visits required, ever.

• 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 Is Clonidine?

Clonidine is a non-opioid medication originally approved to treat high blood pressure. Over time, doctors discovered that clonidine can reduce some of the physical symptoms of opioid withdrawal by calming the nervous system.

Clonidine is not an opioid, does not get you high, and does not treat addiction itself. Instead, it works by lowering the release of norepinephrine, a stress hormone that surges during withdrawal.

Does Clonidine Help With Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms?

Yes—clonidine can help with some opioid withdrawal symptoms, but its benefits are limited.

Clonidine may reduce:

• Sweating and chills
• Anxiety and agitation
• Rapid heart rate
• Muscle aches
• Restlessness
• Elevated blood pressure during withdrawal

However, clonidine does not address cravings, does not prevent relapse, and does not fully control severe withdrawal symptoms.

What Clonidine Does NOT Do During Opioid Withdrawal

Understanding the limits of clonidine is critical.

Clonidine does not:

• Eliminate opioid cravings
• Treat the underlying opioid use disorder
• Block opioids if someone relapses
• Provide long-term stability
• Reduce overdose risk

This is why many patients who rely on clonidine alone struggle to stay opioid-free, especially after detox.

Why Clonidine Alone Often Isn’t Enough

While clonidine may help someone “get through” the early discomfort, opioid withdrawal is more than physical symptoms. Cravings, anxiety, insomnia, and emotional distress often persist for weeks.

Without proper treatment:

• Many people relapse within days or weeks
• Tolerance drops, increasing overdose risk
• Patients return to fentanyl, heroin, or prescription opioids
• Shame and discouragement increase

This pattern is especially common in rural and working communities across Tennessee where access to care has historically been limited.

How Suboxone Compares to Clonidine

One of the biggest differences between clonidine and Suboxone is effectiveness.

Clonidine:

• Helps some physical symptoms
• No effect on cravings
• Not FDA-approved for opioid use disorder
• Short-term support only

Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone):

• Reduces withdrawal and cravings
• Stabilizes brain chemistry
• FDA-approved for opioid addiction
• Dramatically lowers relapse and overdose risk

Suboxone can be safely started when transitioning from opioids such as hydrocodone, oxycodone, Percocet, Vicodin, fentanyl, heroin, morphine, methadone, kratom, 7-OH, and other opioids.

Can Clonidine Be Used With Suboxone?

Yes. In some cases, clonidine is used short-term alongside Suboxone to help manage breakthrough symptoms during early treatment. However, clonidine should never replace evidence-based medication-assisted treatment for opioid addiction.

This combined approach is something our experienced providers carefully evaluate on a patient-by-patient basis.

Why Telemedicine Treatment Matters in Tennessee

Many people across Tennessee delay treatment because of:

• Lack of transportation
• Fear of being seen at a clinic
• Work and family obligations
• Stigma in small communities

At Recovery Care of Columbia, we provide 100% virtual Suboxone treatment statewide, making it possible to start recovery from home—whether you live in Columbia, Chattanooga, Jackson, or a rural town with limited resources.

What to Expect When You Start Treatment at Recovery Care of Columbia

Step 1: Register Online

• 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.
• Same-day appointments and Suboxone prescriptions are often available when fully-registered before 10:00 am Central Time. (based on availability)

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), Norcos, Roxicodone, 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.

Step 2: Attend a Private Video Appointment

Appointments are confidential, judgment-free, and conducted by experienced providers who understand opioid addiction.

Step 3: Receive Same-Day Suboxone

Prescriptions are sent to your local pharmacy or delivered overnight when appropriate.

Why Choose Nashville Addiction Clinic for Your Recovery?

Nothing is more important than someone’s recovery. Without it, their life can become a chaotic disaster. Addiction ruins individuals, families, careers, relationships, and anything else of importance.

Good recovery restores balance, repairs families, saves careers, and so much more. Take your time when seeking a provider for your recovery. No two Suboxone doctors or addiction clinics are the same. No single Suboxone doctor or addiction clinic is right for everyone. Take your time. Do your research, and find the recovery solution that works for you.

Here’s a few reasons why so many people in Tennessee trust Recovery Care of Columbia with their recovery:

• Accredited by The Joint Commission
• Clinic owners are in long-term recovery
• Over 260 Google Reviews (from real patients)
• Recipient of Tennessee’s first Virtual OBOT medical license
• Same-day Suboxone prescriptions
• Statewide award winner of the 2025 Best of Tennessee award for substance abuse treatment
• Over 1000 patients served since 2019
• Accepts most commercial/employee health plans, such as Blue Cross Blue Shield (all U.S. states), Cigna, Ambetter, and United Healthcare, as well as all TennCare Medicaid plans: Amerigroup Community Care, BlueCare, United Healthcare Community Plan, and Wellpoint Community Care.
• Overnight Suboxone delivery is available in most areas (a delivery fee applies)
• A compassionate team of caring doctors, nurse practitioners, counselors, and administrators who provide judgement-free care, some who are in recovery.
• Same-day appointments available every Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (based on availability)
• Evening appointments every Monday and Wednesday until 9:00 PM

Our helpful staff is happy to answer any questions you may have. Call us or send us a text at (615) 927-7802, or message us securely using the Spruce Health mobile app.

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Clonidine

Does clonidine stop opioid cravings?

No. Clonidine may reduce some physical symptoms, but it does not reduce cravings or prevent relapse.

Is clonidine safer than Suboxone?

Both medications are safe when prescribed appropriately, but Suboxone is far more effective for treating opioid addiction long-term.

Can I detox at home using clonidine?

Detoxing at home without comprehensive treatment greatly increases relapse and overdose risk.

Does TennCare cover Suboxone treatment?

Yes. TennCare covers Suboxone telemedicine treatment at Recovery Care of Columbia.

What if I’ve been buying Suboxone on the street?

This is very common. A legal prescription provides proper dosing, safety, and medical support.

Register Today – Feel Better Tomorrow

• 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

• Can Suboxone Stop Opioid Withdrawal? How Telemedicine Treatment Helps You Stabilize Faster
• Starting Suboxone Treatment Online in Tennessee: What to Expect From Your First Telemedicine Appointment
• Online Suboxone Treatment: How It Works for Tennessee Patients
• Starting Suboxone Treatment Online in Tennessee Without Going to a Clinic

External Resources

• National Institute on Drug Abuse
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
• Kratom/7-OH/7-hydroxymitragynine addiction is becoming a crisis in Tennessee.
  Learn more about Kratom, 7-OH, 7-Hydroxy treatment options
• DEA.gov – Opioid Addiction Resources
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | CDC.gov
• National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare