Suboxone & Opioid Treatment FAQs | Groups

FAQs

You may have questions about treatment at Groups. To help you get the answers you need, here are some of the questions we’re often asked.

FAQs

Have questions about treatment, insurance, or what to expect? You're not alone — we've answered the ones we hear most often. If you don't find what you're looking for, call us at 888-858-1723 and we'll help.

I applied. What happens next?

A recruiter will review your application and reach out within a few business days. If there's a fit, the next step is a hiring manager interview.

What does the interview process look like?

After you apply, our Talent Acquisition team reviews your application and may send a short digital skills assessment (about 15 minutes). From there, it's a hiring manager interview, a panel interview with a couple of team members (for most roles), and then an offer. We try to keep it clear and candidate-friendly at every step.

Do you offer tuition reimbursement or help with certifications?

Yes. Benefit-eligible team members receive 40 paid hours and $500 annually toward career training, certifications, and license fees. We also support SAMHSA MAT training for qualifying clinical and provider roles. Additionally, most of our sites are eligible for the STAR Loan Repayment Program, which offers awards of up to $250,000 toward eligible student loans for clinical and recovery support staff.

What benefits are available?

Benefit-eligible employees are W2 employees working 30 or more hours per week, eligible to enroll the first of the month following hire. See the Benefits section above for a full breakdown.

Do you have remote roles?

Some roles are fully remote, some are hybrid, and some are in-person at one of our 130+ offices. Each job posting specifies the location and schedule requirements.

Do you hire 1099s?

We offer 1099 arrangements for medical roles only, such as physicians and other prescribing providers. All other positions at Groups are full-time employees.

What is Groups?

Groups is an outpatient provider of opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment. We built our treatment model around three pillars:

We believe that everyone who wants treatment should be able to get it. That’s why we accept many insurance, Medicaid, and Medicare plans. If someone who wants treatment does not have insurance, we’ll work with them to make sure care is accessible.

What medication does Groups prescribe?

Groups providers prescribe members with medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD). Most members are prescribed Suboxone® . Suboxone helps with withdrawal symptoms and cravings.

Someone gave me this link. What happens now?

Nothing happens automatically. This page is just here to answer your questions. When you’re ready, you can call us at 888-858-1723 so we can help you get started.

Who works at Groups?

The Groups team includes medical doctors, nurses, recovery counselors and consultants, recovery support specialists, and other staff who keep our program running. Everyone who works at Groups cares deeply about supporting our members without stigma or judgment. Working together, our full care team can help you and your peers achieve your goals.

Where are the Groups offices?

Groups offers virtual and in-person care in 13 states, with more to come:

You can check out all of the locations in your state on our website here. If you don't live near a Groups location, we might still be able to treat you virtually as long as you live in one of the 13 states Groups serves. The best way to find out is to call us at (888) 858-1723.

Does Groups accept insurance?

We accept Medicaid, Medicare, and many commercial insurance plans. These include:

Visit our insurance page for more information. For specific coverage information for your area, call us at (888) 858-1723.

What if I don’t have insurance?

Groups also accepts self-pay. You can call us at (888) 858-1723 to discuss your options. We want to make sure treatment is affordable for you.

Is Groups treatment in person or virtual?

Both! We offer in-person support at our local offices or online using the Groups app. Whatever works best for you and your needs.

What happens at my intake appointment?

You’ll meet with a licensed counselor or Recovery Consultant who will ask questions about your health history. This helps us make sure our program is right for you. This will most likely be done virtually.

Next, you’ll meet with a physician (also virtually) to go over any medical issues that could impact treatment. They'll prescribe the right dose of medication to prevent cravings. After that, you’ll meet your local Groups community. Your weekly group will include your care team and other members to support you in your recovery journey.

Do I need to provide drug screens?

Yes. Members complete weekly urine screens as part of treatment. The results are confidential between you and your care team.

Suboxone® is a highly regulated medication. Many states require treatment to include drug screens. They also provide valuable information about treatment progress.

Groups doesn’t punish members for positive drug screens. Instead, we work with members to help them stay safe and prevent or reduce opioid use.

What is Suboxone®? How does it work?

Methadone, fentanyl, heroin, and pain pills are full opioid agonists. That means they cause strong effects in the brain. Suboxone is a partial opioid agonist. The effects on the brain are less intense.

Full agonists can make you feel “high.” Suboxone doesn’t. Instead, it helps with withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Suboxone helps you feel “normal” without using full agonist opioids.

Does Suboxone® have side effects?

Side effects are a part of all medications. When someone first begins taking Suboxone, they may experience:

These side effects typically go away after taking medication for a few days. Members can talk to their providers about ways to manage side effects.

What if I’m already taking methadone?

Even if you’re already taking methadone, call us to learn if Groups could be right for you.

Most people who are taking 50mg or less of methadone have no trouble switching to Suboxone®. People who take more than 50mg of methadone may need to taper down their dose first.

Groups can help you decide what path to take.

What’s it like to transition from methadone to Suboxone®?

Whatever opioid you’re using, including methadone, you’ll need to wait until you have withdrawal symptoms to start Suboxone. Since methadone is a long-acting opioid, this is typically about 30-48 hours after your last methadone dose. Withdrawal symptoms from methadone may include:

Over-the-counter medications can help with pain and diarrhea. These include ibuprofen (Advil), acetaminophen (Tylenol), and loperamide (Imodium). Your Groups provider can prescribe other medications that can help with withdrawal symptoms. These may include:

Once it’s been long enough since your last methadone dose, you’ll start taking low doses of Suboxone and build up to a full dose over the course of a few days. At this point you should be feeling “normal” again and have made the transition.

Will I have to take Suboxone® forever?

Most people who are taking 50mg or less of methadone have no trouble switching to Suboxone. People who take more than 50mg of methadone may need to taper down their dose first.

Is Suboxone® trading one drug for another? Is it addictive?

No. People who take Suboxone as prescribed don’t feel “high” or sick. Suboxone helps restore the brain’s “normal” chemistry and function. This means you can drive, work, play, eat, and be with your family while feeling like yourself.

People who take Suboxone will get used to the medication. They may have withdrawal symptoms if they suddenly stop taking Suboxone. But this doesn’t mean someone is addicted.

Eventually, many people can taper down their dose of Suboxone. Some may stop using it. You will make these decisions with your provider.

How do I get started?

You can get started at Groups in three simple steps:

  1. Call us: You can reach out anytime at (888) 858-1723.
  2. Meet our admissions team and get your prescription: You’ll meet virtually with a counselor and physician. If Groups is a good fit, we’ll prescribe your medicine that you can pick up at your local pharmacy.

How can I help a friend or family member sign up for Groups?

Groups is a voluntary program. We need to speak with people directly to get them signed up for our program. However, you can always refer your loved ones to Groups. If signing up is difficult for them, we can help at (888) 858-1723.

Do you accept member referrals?

If you’re a Groups member, you can send a unique referral link to loved ones you think our program might be right for. For each new member who signs up using a referral link, we’ll donate $100 to a non-profit that is aligned with our mission of changing lives and destigmatizing addiction.

Whether you’re a member or not, people must sign up on their own to receive care. If signing up is difficult for them, we can help at (888) 858-1723. They can call us anytime of day or night.

Do I need a permanent address?

You don’t need a permanent address to sign up for Groups. Some plans may require a permanent address to cover treatment. If that’s not an option, we can use your main office location.

Members have access to Recovery Support Specialists. They can help with housing and other important life goals. Call us 24/7 at (888) 858-1723 to learn more.

Do I need a phone or computer?

We recommend having a phone, computer, or other device for treatment. Groups sends important updates through email and text. Each week, you'll submit urine tests through the Groups app.

If you don’t have a phone, computer, or other device, we can help. Members have access to Recovery Support Specialists. They can help with technology and other important life goals. Call us 24/7 at (888) 858-1723 to learn more.

Do I need an email address?

Yes. Members need to have email addresses to sign up for the Groups app and get important messages from our team. If you need help setting up an email account, please reach out to us at (888) 858-1723.

Do I need a license or some form of ID?

Yes, you’ll need some form of identification to participate in our program. Acceptable forms of photo ID include:

If you don’t have a photo ID, you’ll need two of the following: