No. A medical referral is not required to start treatment at Ideal Option.

Individuals seeking help for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD), Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), or other substance use disorders can self-refer directly by phone or online.

You can restart treatment immediately by calling 1-877-522-1275 or requesting an appointment online.

Ideal Option operates on a non-punitive, open-door policy. Previous treatment interruptions or relapses do not restrict re-enrollment. Patients should have updated insurance or contact information ready when calling to expedite the intake process.

You should bring a photo ID and your insurance card to your first appointment.

However, if you do not have an ID or insurance card, Ideal Option will still see you. Ideal Option prioritizes immediate, low-barrier addiction medical care over administrative paperwork.

No. You do not need to be in active withdrawal during your initial clinical visit.

Your medical provider will assess your substance use history, health baseline, and current tolerance to create a safe, customized dosing schedule.

• Conventional Induction: For standard buprenorphine initiation, patients abstain from short-acting opioids for 24–36 hours prior to their first dose at home to avoid precipitated withdrawal.
• Low-Dose / Micro-Induction: If you are unable to abstain or are using illicit substances, providers utilize alternative micro-dosing protocols that transition you to buprenorphine comfortably without requiring pre-treatment withdrawal.

Evidence & Authoritative Reference: The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and NIDA highlight that modern buprenorphine initiation protocols—including micro-dosing strategies—allow flexible induction without forcing patients into painful, high-grade opioid withdrawal prior to receiving care (SAMHSA Clinical Guidance on Buprenorphine Initiation).

An initial visit at Ideal Option functions like a standard primary care appointment: check-in, vital signs, toxicological testing, and a one-on-one medical evaluation with an addiction medicine provider.

During the visit:

• Clinical Intake: Medical staff measure vital signs and conduct baseline health screening.
• Laboratory Testing: A urine sample is collected for definitive toxicology analysis.
• Provider Evaluation: A specialized provider conducts a comprehensive assessment of your drug use history and co-occurring health needs.
• Prescription & Care Plan: An individualized prescription (e.g., Suboxone®) and structured home-induction dosing protocol are finalized.

Appointment frequency follows a clinical stabilization timeline—starting with frequent visits after intake and transitioning to monthly visits as you stabilize.

• Initial Phase: A follow-up visit occurs the day after intake (in-person or remote check-in), followed by a clinic visit within a few days.
• Stabilization Phase: Appointments are scheduled weekly as medication dosages are optimized.
• Maintenance Phase: As laboratory testing and clinical progress confirm stability, visits decrease to once every two weeks, and eventually to once per month.

Telehealth visits are available for established patients who have completed initial in-person evaluations and lab testing.

• First Visits: Ideal Option requires patients to complete their initial visits in person to collect baseline laboratory data and establish direct provider care (Note: Arkansas law strictly mandates in-person initial visits).
• Routine Telehealth: After stabilization (typically after the first 3 in-person visits), patients can request virtual follow-ups for convenience, illness, bad weather, or schedule conflicts, subject to provider approval.

Evidence & Authoritative Reference: Joint research by NIDA and the NIH confirms that expanding telehealth access for buprenorphine treatment improves long-term patient retention and significantly lowers overdose mortality risks without reducing clinical safety (NIH Telehealth for Opioid Use Disorder Study).

You will not be discharged or penalized. Ideal Option operates under a non-judgmental harm-reduction model.

Toxicology testing is used as a diagnostic health tool, not a punishment. If test results show alcohol, cannabis, or other substances:

• Providers offer guidance and adjust treatment plans or medication dosages.
• Clinical care prioritizes eliminating high-risk, life-threatening substances (like illicit fentanyl or heroin) first.
• Patients are supported through ongoing recovery rather than discharged for non-abstinence.

Evidence & Authoritative Reference: SAMHSA and NIDA guidelines explicitly advise healthcare providers against discontinuing buprenorphine treatment due to positive drug tests for non-opioid substances, as continuing medication remains life-saving compared to treatment termination (SAMHSA Treatment Improvement Protocol 63).

If you are a current patient, you can reschedule your appointment using this link or by calling us at 877.522.1275.

If you are a new patient, you can call us at 877.522.1275 to reschedule your first appointment.

Please click this link when it is time for your appointment.

The length of treatment is dependent on your unique situation and history of substance use. While some of our patients can taper off their medication relatively quickly and maintain a stable long-term recovery, others find they need to stay on medication for several months or even years.

Yes, we welcome your loved ones and supporters to accompany you to your Ideal Option appointment. 

Yes, you can bring your child with you to your appointment.

Yes, established patients can be seen together and scheduled as side-by-side appointments. New patient visits do take longer however, so back-to-back appointments will need to be made

Ideal Option only allows services animals inside their clinics.

Yes, you can make a new patient appointment for someone else at Ideal Option. Patients are scheduled for their first appointment within 24 hours or on the same day if possible, and walk-ins are welcome at most clinics. You can request an appointment by calling 877.522.1275.