Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for treatment at Step-Free Recovery?
Individuals who are addicted to or regularly using opioids who want to stop and do not have a need for care of more serious medical or psychiatric conditions.
What if I am prescribed other medications?
Many individuals are turned away from medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs because of their prescribed medications. You may find it more challenging to access treatment due to strict program guidelines that can lead to dismissal from care. We do not turn away people simply because their care is more complex. Our compassionate team is here to evaluate your unique situation without judgment, ensuring you receive the comprehensive care necessary for a successful recovery journey.
Who helps me with my treatment at Step-Free Recovery?
At Step-Free Recovery, you will first speak with a patient care coordinator, who will explain the treatment process, answer any questions you have, and schedule your first visit with your provider.
Next you will meet your provider, who will review your medical history with you, propose a treatment plan, and then manage your prescriptions. Your provider will be available frequently throughout the induction process and then maintenance treatment to ensure you are at a comfortable, therapeutic dosage.
How do I meet and attend my visits?
At Step-Free Recovery, all our visits are done through a HIPAA-secured teleconference app via Simple Practice. It is free to download on your smartphone, computer, or tablet. There, you will also have access to a patient portal, our secure messaging system, and calendar to check provider availability and schedule appointments. You will receive a link to your email to join the video call.
How often are my visits?
During the first month of treatment, patients will have visits with their provider as often as needed as they are stabilizing onto their medication. After that, patients will have a check-in once a month. Treatment is individualized and catered to each patient's needs.
Can I be seen outside of business hours?
Yes! Step-Free Recovery offers an after-hours on-call option, where you can be seen by a provider for initial induction immediately, as well as a 24-hour messaging service. See our subscription plans and pricing below.
What is Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)?
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) utilizes medications to help individuals manage or overcome opioid use disorders. The medications commonly used in MAT are Methadone, Buprenorphine (Suboxone, Subutex, Zubsolv), and Naltrexone (Vivitrol). Methadone is a Schedule II full-opioid receptor agonist and must be administered under a physician's supervision at a regulated clinic. While it reduces cravings and withdrawal, it is more high-risk and thus more controlled.
Buprenorphine (Suboxone, Subutex, Zubsolv) is a partial opioid receptor agonist and considered safer due to its "ceiling" effect, while still reducing cravings and curbing withdrawal. It may be prescribed in various settings by certified clinicians and offers more flexibility and accessibility to people who want to maintain a normal life. Naltrexone (Vivitrol) is an opioid receptor antagonist and works by blocking the effects of opioids. If a person relapses and uses an opioid, naltrexone prevents the feeling of getting high. It is only suitable for maintaining abstinence once an individual is completely detoxed from opioids.
What medications does Step-Free Recovery Prescribe?
Step-Free Recovery providers primarily prescribe Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone). During the induction process, we may also prescribe adjunctive medications for withdrawal for a more comfortable transition; this includes medications for management of nausea, restless legs, or anxiety.
What is the indication for Suboxone?
Rx Only. SUBOXONE is indicated for the treatment of opioid dependence in adults. SUBOXONE should not be taken by individuals who have been shown to be hypersensitive to buprenorphine or naloxone as serious adverse reactions, including anaphylactic shock, have been reported. Taking SUBOXONE with other opioid medicines, benzodiazepines, alcohol, or other central nervous system depressants can cause breathing problems that can lead to coma and death. Other side-effects may include headaches, nausea, vomiting, constipation, insomnia, pain, increased sweating, sleepiness, dizziness, coordination problems, physical dependence or abuse, and liver problems.
How much does Step-Free Recovery cost?
Step-Free Recovery has different pricing plans, depending on individual treatment needs. We offer a flat rate, month-to-month ($199) treatment option after the first month ($249). If you want to be seen after-hours, we have you covered! Our on-call option gives you the ability to see a provider same-day, even if our office is closed.
How much does the medication cost?
Most insurance plans generally cover medication costs, leaving only minimal copays for patients.
For those without insurance, medication expenses will be an out-of-pocket cost, varying by prescription type, amount, and dosage. We have resources available to help reduce these costs, so please feel free to inquire if interested. We are here to assist you in making your healthcare more affordable and accessible.
Why don't you take Insurance?
Insurance is often a barrier to accessible treatment. Many insurers demand that you, the patient, jump through hoops in order to have MAT paid for—mandatory counseling, group sessions, unnecessary in-person visits, etc. We want to make Suboxone as accessible and straightforward as possible for those with opioid-use disorder so that they can first cease physical dependency, then focus on healing the mind.
What is Opioid Use Disorder (OUD), and how does it affect someone?
OUD is a chronic brain disorder caused by opioids (prescription painkillers, heroin, fentanyl). It creates deep physical and mental dependency: your brain rewires so life revolves around chasing the next hit, constant cravings, loss of control, and escalating use despite harm. The real suffering isn't just withdrawal—it's how it erases your identity, relationships, and freedom. Treatment's goal is to break that chaotic cycle so you can work, parent, build connections, and live freely again.
Why does buprenorphine feel—and actually is—different from other opioids?
Buprenorphine stabilizes brain chemistry gently: no rush, no high, no compulsion to use more. You settle into one consistent dose (often the same for years), and life opens up. It's like daily blood pressure medication—quiet, reliable, invisible. No one can tell just by looking at or talking to you.
What are the key differences between methadone and buprenorphine?
Methadone is a full opioid agonist. It fully activates receptors, so tolerance often builds, and many people need higher doses over time. Buprenorphine is a partial agonist with a ceiling effect—it gently activates receptors but plateaus. Tolerance stays low; most patients stabilize on one comfortable dose (e.g., 8–24 mg) for years without chasing more, or taper safely when ready. This difference gives your body and mind real breathing room to heal.
What does the research show about buprenorphine's effectiveness?
The evidence is strong and consistent:
- Retention in treatment: Buprenorphine retains 1.5–1.8 times more people than placebo or abstinence-based treatment alone.
- All-cause mortality: Cut roughly in half while in treatment.
- Overdose mortality: Reduced dramatically while in treatment.
- Long-term: Continuous treatment beyond 6–9 months slashes overdose events significantly and reduces hospital use.
- Abstinence-based treatment alone: Can increase overdose death risk by over 77% compared to no treatment.
What about the "ceiling effect" in buprenorphine—why does it matter?
The ceiling effect is buprenorphine's key safety feature. As a partial agonist at mu-opioid receptors, it has a limited maximum effect—its dose-response curve plateaus. Therapeutic effects (withdrawal relief, craving reduction, analgesia) increase up to about 12–16 mg, then level off—no more relief or euphoria from higher doses. Safety effects (respiratory depression) have a clear ceiling—they plateau and don't worsen much even at very high doses. This makes fatal overdose far less likely when taken alone (unlike full agonists like heroin, fentanyl, or methadone). It lowers abuse potential and physical dependence severity—core reasons buprenorphine is widely used in MAT (MOUD).
What about diversion—do people misuse buprenorphine to get high?
Fact vs. fiction: Diversion exists, but it's rare and rarely for euphoria. Most diverted buprenorphine is used therapeutically: 79–91% to manage withdrawal, support abstinence, or bridge gaps in care. Patient diversion rates peak at just 4.8% in treatment samples. Illicit use is almost always for its intended purpose—not to get high—because access to treatment is still limited by stigma and barriers.
How does Step-Free Recovery support people with OUD?
We see you as a person—not a label or statistic—who's already shown strength by seeking help. We honor your goals: long-term maintenance for stability or gradual taper when ready. Same-day telehealth, rapid withdrawal relief (often within an hour), 24/7 support, and consistent medication access to avoid lapses. Led by Valeriya Gessner, APRN, ACNP-AG, we focus on real, compassionate care. If something inside whispers "this time could be different," trust it.