Quick answer
Suboxone is the brand name for buprenorphine plus naloxone, an FDA-approved medication for opioid use disorder taken once daily. The federal waiver that once limited who could prescribe buprenorphine is gone, and telemedicine prescribing is allowed through December 31, 2026. Within 30 miles of Memphis, 14 facilities prescribe buprenorphine. Here is how to start.
Published: 2026-10-25 Updated: 2026-10-25
Suboxone is the best-known brand of buprenorphine, and it changed how opioid use disorder is treated: instead of daily clinic visits, many people start from a regular appointment and take one dose at home. The rules around who can prescribe it loosened in 2022, and Memphis has prescribers who use it. This page explains how it works, who can prescribe it, and how to start.
Is Suboxone the right choice for opioid use disorder?
It depends on your opioid history and how much structure you want. Buprenorphine is often the practical first choice because it can be prescribed from an office or by telehealth and taken once a day, which fits work and family life — 14 facilities within 30 miles of Memphis prescribe it. Methadone, dispensed at a federally certified program, is the more monitored option and suits some people better, including those with very high opioid tolerance. Naltrexone is a third path once you are fully detoxed. A clinician helps you choose.
What Suboxone actually is
Suboxone combines buprenorphine, a partial opioid agonist that eases withdrawal and craving, with naloxone, added to discourage misuse. The SAMHSA medication guide and NIDA both treat it as a standard, evidence-based treatment for opioid use disorder — not a substitute addiction. It is dissolved under the tongue or against the cheek, usually once daily.
Side effects are usually manageable and can include headache, nausea, and trouble sleeping, especially in the first days. Our Suboxone side effects guide covers what to expect and when to call your prescriber.
Who can prescribe buprenorphine in Tennessee
The old barrier is gone. As SAMHSA explains, the federal DATA-2000 waiver requirement to prescribe buprenorphine for opioid use disorder was removed in December 2022 under the MAT Act. Any practitioner with a valid DEA registration that includes Schedule III authority may now prescribe it, where state law allows, with no patient limits or special certification.
Telemedicine broadened access too. As of October 2026, DEA and HHS have extended telemedicine flexibilities for controlled medications through December 31, 2026. A clinician who has never seen you in person can start buprenorphine by phone or video and prescribe up to a six-month supply, after checking the prescription drug monitoring system.
Buprenorphine access within 30 miles of Memphis
The SAMHSA locator pull on October 25, 2026 within 30 miles of Memphis lists:
- 14 facilities that prescribe buprenorphine and 2 federally certified opioid treatment programs
- 14 facilities that use or prescribe naltrexone
- 26 offering outpatient care, 20 with intensive outpatient programs, and 23 offering telemedicine
- 22 accepting Medicaid and 16 reporting a sliding fee scale
Counts change as programs open and close, so confirm openings by phone or on FindTreatment.gov. If you are uninsured or between prescribers, TN REDLINE at 1-800-889-9789 can point you to a program the same day.
How to start today
- In an emergency, call 911 and give naloxone if you have it. For a crisis, call or text 988, or the Memphis Crisis Center at 901-274-7477.
- Call or text (800) 653-9376 to talk through buprenorphine and other medication options with a specialist, or use this form:
Calling is free; the referral service is paid for by treatment providers, and we check your benefits before you commit.
- Ask a prospective prescriber three questions: "How soon can I start?", "Do you offer telehealth visits?", and "Will you coordinate the counseling piece?"
- Do not stop buprenorphine abruptly on your own — a planned taper with your prescriber is safer and reduces relapse risk.
Buprenorphine does not replace one drug with another; it treats the condition. Across Memphis, the prescribers who use it are a phone call away.
Learn more: drug and alcohol rehab in Memphis, heroin treatment in Memphis, and medication for opioid use disorder.
This page is general health information, not medical advice. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by any facility named above.
Other Suboxone treatment in Tennessee: Suboxone treatment in Bristol, Tennessee, Suboxone treatment in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Suboxone treatment in Clarksville, Tennessee, Suboxone treatment in Cookeville, Tennessee, Suboxone treatment in Franklin, Tennessee, Suboxone treatment in Jackson, Tennessee, Suboxone treatment in Johnson City, Tennessee, Suboxone treatment in Kingsport, Tennessee, Suboxone treatment in Knoxville, Tennessee, Suboxone treatment in Maryville, Tennessee, Suboxone treatment in Morristown, Tennessee, Suboxone treatment in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
Last updated: Sun Oct 25 2026 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)
Frequently asked questions
What is Suboxone and what is it for?
Suboxone is a film or tablet combining buprenorphine, a partial opioid agonist, and naloxone. Its FDA labeling is for the treatment of opioid dependence as part of a complete plan that includes counseling and psychosocial support. It is dissolved under the tongue or against the cheek, usually once a day, and works best alongside counseling.
Do I still need a special waiver to get buprenorphine?
No. The federal DATA-2000 waiver requirement to prescribe buprenorphine for opioid use disorder was removed in December 2022 under the MAT Act. Any practitioner with a valid DEA registration that includes Schedule III authority may now prescribe it, where state law allows. A FindTreatment.gov pull on October 25, 2026 lists 14 buprenorphine prescribers within 30 miles of Memphis.
Can I start Suboxone by telehealth in Tennessee?
Often, yes. As of October 2026, DEA and HHS have extended telemedicine flexibilities for controlled medications through December 31, 2026. A clinician who has not seen you in person can initiate buprenorphine by phone or video and prescribe up to a six-month supply, after checking the prescription drug monitoring system. Twenty-three facilities in the Memphis radius offer telemedicine.
How does buprenorphine compare with methadone?
Both are FDA-approved for opioid use disorder and both reduce craving and overdose risk. Methadone is a full agonist dispensed at a federally certified program, so it requires regular clinic visits — two programs sit within 30 miles of Memphis. Buprenorphine is a partial agonist that can be prescribed from an office or by telehealth, which is easier to sustain for many people.
Does TennCare cover Suboxone in Memphis?
For eligible members, TennCare covers medically necessary medication for opioid use disorder, including buprenorphine, through BlueCare Tennessee, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Tennessee, or Wellpoint. Of the facilities in the Memphis radius, 22 accept Medicaid and 16 report a sliding fee scale. TN REDLINE at 1-800-889-9789 helps uninsured residents find funded options.