Frequently Asked Questions About Addiction Medicine

Substance use disorder treatment includes counseling and medications. At Brown University Health you will work with a team of doctors, nurses, and counselors to reach your goals related to drug and alcohol use, whether you want to stop use entirely, decrease use, or to use more safely.

The field of addiction medicine studies the best way to take care of people with substance use disorders. 

Medications can treat withdrawal symptoms and decrease cravings. Medications can be an important component of addiction treatment and are especially helpful in the treatment of alcohol and opioid use disorders.  

We know how important it is to access addiction care when you need it. We offer same-day treatment at Addiction Care Today and through the Buprenorphine Hotline. If you prefer to schedule an appointment in advance, you can call the Brown University Health Recovery Center and will be scheduled for your first appointment within 10 days.

We will talk to you at your very first appointment to see if medication would be right for you. Many patients can start medication that day.

At Addiction Care Today and the Brown University Health Recovery Center, we offer a wide range of medications to treat addiction. These medications include oral and injectable buprenorphine (Suboxone, Subutex, Sublocade, Brixadi) and oral and injectable naltrexone (Vivitrol). We also use a variety of medications to help manage the symptoms of withdrawal. The Buprenorphine Hotline provides prescriptions for oral buprenorphine (Suboxone, Subutex), as well as medications to help with symptoms of opioid withdrawal.

We treat addiction to alcohol or any drug. We use a combination of medications and therapy to treat all addictions. You will work with your provider to decide on the combination that is best for you. 

Mental health care is an essential component of addiction management. Our staff includes trained counselors, therapists, and psychiatrists, and their services are available to all patients. 

Outpatient Programs: Outpatient treatment occurs anywhere from a few times per week to a few times per year and can be tailored to meet the needs of each individual patient.  This type of treatment is ideal for those with less severe symptoms or as a step down from more intensive care.

Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs): IOPs offer at least 9 hours per week of treatment and include individual and group therapy.

Partial Hospital Programs (PHPs): PHPs offer at least 20 hours per week of treatment. Treatment includes appointments with prescribers, individual counseling, and group work.  These programs are suitable for those needing more structure than traditional outpatient care but not requiring 24-hour supervision.

Inpatient Programs: These programs provide 24-hour supervised care, which may be necessary for those with severe symptoms.

Partial hospital programs are ideal for individuals who:

• Need structured support but can manage some aspects of their life independently.
• Have co-occurring mental health symptoms or require intensive addiction care.
• Can commit to 20 hours a week of treatment.