Quick answer
Suboxone — buprenorphine plus naloxone — is a standard medication for opioid use disorder, approved by the FDA in 2002. The SAMHSA locator lists 27 buprenorphine prescribers within 30 miles of St. Petersburg, plus 7 certified opioid treatment programs. Call or text (800) 653-9376 to start.
How do you start Suboxone in St. Petersburg?
It depends mostly on which prescriber you reach first, and Pinellas gives you many. Buprenorphine — the active medication in Suboxone — can be prescribed by a clinician for use outside a clinic, so the fastest route is often an office-based provider rather than a daily clinic. Within 30 miles of downtown (ZIP 33701), the SAMHSA locator lists 27 facilities that prescribe buprenorphine, 24 offering outpatient methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone treatment, and 7 federally certified opioid treatment programs. Call or text (800) 653-9376, or submit
, and ask specifically about same-week induction.Why this medication works
NIDA's heroin research report explains the design:
- buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist — it relieves cravings without the high or dangerous side effects of full opioids
- the naloxone in Suboxone sits inactive when the medication is taken under the tongue as prescribed, but induces withdrawal if it is injected — a misuse deterrent
- the FDA approved buprenorphine in 2002 and generic Suboxone forms in 2013, making treatment more affordable; a subdermal implant (2016) and once-monthly injection (2017) remove daily dosing for people who want it
CDC lists buprenorphine among the FDA-approved medications for opioid use disorder — available as a dissolving tablet, cheek film, or extended-release injection — and notes that a recovery plan including medication increases the chance of success.
The local context in Pinellas County
- Pinellas County overdose deaths fell from 367 in the 12 months ending December 2024 to 251 in the 12 months ending December 2025 (CDC provisional data) — one of the steepest county declines in Florida, and medication access is part of that story
- the county holds about 965,870 residents; the 30-mile treatment radius also overlaps Tampa's network across the bay, so south Pinellas residents often have two metros' worth of options
- Central Florida Behavioral Health Network (CFBHN) is the DCF managing entity for Pinellas and the clearest public-network door for uninsured and underinsured callers
What the first weeks look like
- The screening call. Say what you have been using, how recently, and whether fentanyl is involved — the induction schedule depends on it.
- The first dose. Taken when mild withdrawal has begun; expect frequent early visits and drug screens.
- Stabilization. Visits space out as the dose holds; counseling and peer support run alongside, not instead of, the medication.
- Naloxone at home. Florida pharmacists can dispense it without a personal prescription under section 381.887, Florida Statutes — overdose risk stays highest when use resumes after a break.
In an overdose, call 911 and give naloxone. For a crisis that is not a medical emergency, call or text 988.
Locator counts change as programs open and close — treat the numbers as a starting list and confirm openings directly. Other Suboxone treatment in Florida: Suboxone treatment in Daytona Beach, Florida, Suboxone treatment in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Suboxone treatment in Fort Myers, Florida, Suboxone treatment in Gainesville, Florida, Suboxone treatment in Jacksonville, Florida, Suboxone treatment in Lakeland, Florida, Suboxone treatment in Miami, Florida, Suboxone treatment in Ocala, Florida, Suboxone treatment in Orlando, Florida, Suboxone treatment in Pensacola, Florida, Suboxone treatment in Sarasota, Florida, Suboxone treatment in Tallahassee, Florida.
Last updated: Wed Oct 21 2026 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)
Frequently asked questions
What is Suboxone?
Suboxone combines buprenorphine, a partial opioid agonist that relieves cravings and withdrawal without producing the high of full opioids, with naloxone, which induces withdrawal if the film or tablet is injected instead of taken as prescribed under the tongue. The FDA approved buprenorphine in 2002 and generic Suboxone forms in 2013.
Who can prescribe it near me?
Any clinician authorized to prescribe buprenorphine — including office-based providers, not only opioid treatment programs. Within 30 miles of downtown St. Petersburg (ZIP 33701), the SAMHSA locator lists 27 facilities that prescribe buprenorphine and 24 offering outpatient methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone treatment.
How is starting Suboxone different with fentanyl involved?
Fentanyl clings to opioid receptors longer, so some people need a slower first-dose schedule or a higher dose to avoid precipitated withdrawal. Tell the prescriber exactly what you have been using and how recently — programs that treat fentanyl patients regularly adjust induction for this.
Does Florida Medicaid cover Suboxone?
Yes, for eligible members. Florida Medicaid (AHCA) covers medically necessary medication for opioid use disorder through Statewide Medicaid Managed Care plans; Florida has not expanded Medicaid. Uninsured residents can ask Central Florida Behavioral Health Network, the DCF managing entity for Pinellas, about publicly funded options.
Will I need to go to a clinic every day?
No — that is methadone's routine. Buprenorphine is typically prescribed for home use with periodic check-ins; visits are frequent in the first weeks and usually space out once the dose is stable. Long-acting injected and implanted forms also exist for people who prefer not to dose daily.