Columbia Suboxone Clinic Blog
How Long Should I Take Suboxone? A Complete Guide for Tennessee Patients
If you are searching how long should I take Suboxone, you may be exhausted from withdrawal, tired of chasing pills, worried about relapse, or scared of what tomorrow looks like. For people across Tennessee—whether you’re in Columbia, Knoxville, Nashville, Memphis, or Johnson City—knowing how long Suboxone treatment lasts is often the first step toward real recovery and stability.
At Recovery Care of Columbia, we help adults ages 18 to 65 safely transition to Suboxone through TeleMAT—our widely recognized approach to virtual Medication-Assisted Treatment. We provide same-day Suboxone prescriptions, honest answers, and life-changing support—without judgment.
How Long Should I Take Suboxone? Understanding Treatment Duration
The truth is that how long you should take Suboxone depends on your unique history, the severity of your opioid use, and your recovery goals. There is no one-size-fits-all answer, and reputable organizations like the FDA, SAMHSA, and the DEA agree that ongoing treatment is often safer and more effective than short-term detox.
Many people benefit from:
- Long-term maintenance (6 months to several years)
- Stabilization periods to eliminate withdrawal and cravings
- Gradual, medically supervised tapering only when ready
Opioid addiction is a chronic medical condition, just like diabetes or hypertension. It often requires long-term treatment to prevent relapse, overdose, or death.
Why Longer Treatment Often Works Best
People come to us after hydrocodone, fentanyl, oxycodone, heroin, Tramadol, OxyContin, Percocet, Kratom, or other opioids have taken control of their life. Many have tried to quit on their own and suffered intense withdrawal. Some have purchased Suboxone on the street. Some have had legal trouble, lost relationships, or faced job consequences.
Here are the key reasons longer Suboxone treatment is recommended:
- Suboxone eliminates cravings
Research from SAMHSA shows that Suboxone significantly reduces cravings and relapse risk.
- Suboxone prevents withdrawals
It blocks the painful symptoms that often push people back to pills or heroin.
- Reduced overdose risk
The FDA emphasizes that medically supervised Suboxone treatment reduces the danger of fatal overdose.
- Your brain needs time to heal
Long-term opioid use changes brain chemistry; Suboxone stabilizes it.
TeleMAT—A Safer, Easier Way to Stay in Treatment
TeleMAT (Telemedicine Medication-Assisted Treatment) was a term created by Recovery Care of Columbia, and today it’s widely used across the addiction-treatment field.
With TeleMAT, you:
- Never need to travel to a clinic
- Attend appointments by phone or video—even from your car, break room, or bedroom
- Receive same-day Suboxone prescriptions
- Have medications sent to your pharmacy or delivered overnight
For men and women with limited transportation, demanding jobs, childcare responsibilities, or TennCare Medicaid, this is a life-saving convenience.
Recovery Care of Columbia was the first addiction treatment clinic in Tennessee to receive a virtual medical license, and we have been successfully providing telemedicine addiction treatment for six years, treating over 1,000 Tennesseans.
Who Benefits from Longer Suboxone Treatment in Tennessee?
People ages 18 to 65 benefit from Suboxone, especially if they’ve experienced:
- Dependence on opioids from prescriptions, surgery, pain management, friends, or family
- Fear of withdrawal
- Stress from divorce, past emotional or mental abuse
- Past trauma
- Low to mid-income barriers
- Shame about addiction
- Hiding opioid use from coworkers, family, or a partner
- Legal issues or a felony record
- Working jobs that require stability
You are not alone—and you are not your past.
How Long Should I Take Suboxone During Telemedicine Treatment?
During TeleMAT, most patients stay on Suboxone long enough to:
- Feel normal again
- Stabilize their life and job
- Repair relationships
- Focus on mental health
- Build skills through counseling
Our master-level counselors and experienced medical staff—many of whom are in active recovery themselves—will guide you step-by-step.
How Long Should I Take Suboxone for Best Results?
For the best outcomes:
- Stay on Suboxone until cravings and withdrawals are fully gone
- Stay on Suboxone until you feel emotionally stable
- Schedule regular check-ins through TeleMAT
- Consider long-term maintenance for sustained recovery
Our clinicians will never rush you off Suboxone, and you will never be judged for needing ongoing medication.
Our Proven Approach to Safe, Long-Term Recovery
Recovery Care of Columbia is accredited by The Joint Commission, recognized nationally for safety and quality.
Your treatment includes:
- Suboxone
- Counseling
- Support from a team that genuinely cares
We are here because our founders—who are in active recovery—were once treated poorly elsewhere. They created a supportive program where every patient is treated with dignity, kindness, and respect.
How to Start Suboxone Treatment Today
Same-day appointments are available.
Choose your path:
- Commercial insurance
- TennCare Medicaid
- Self-pay
- Insurance & pricing
- Meet our team
- Read our 100+ five-star reviews
- Apply for our Sliding-Scale Program
- Returning patients
You can call or text (931) 548-3062, or message us securely using the Spruce Health app on your mobile device.
Frequently Asked Questions About How Long to Take Suboxone
1. Is it safe to take Suboxone long-term?
Yes. According to the FDA, long-term Suboxone use is safe under medical supervision.
2. Can I overdose on Suboxone?
Suboxone has a built-in “ceiling effect” that reduces overdose risk, but misuse is still dangerous. Always follow medical directions.
3. Will Suboxone show up on drug tests?
Most employment drug screens do not test for buprenorphine unless specifically ordered.
4. What happens if I stop too soon?
Stopping too soon can lead to cravings, withdrawal, and relapse. Many patients benefit from long-term maintenance.
5. Do I have to come to a clinic?
No. With TeleMAT, you never have to travel to a clinic.
6. How fast can I get medication?
Same-day Suboxone prescriptions are sent to your pharmacy or shipped overnight.
Related Articles
- Get Help from an Online MAT Doctor in Tennessee Today
- Understanding Evening Suboxone Appointments and Their Impact
- Telemat Tennessee: A Lifeline for Rural Adults Battling Opioid Addiction