Rhode Island has launched a 24/7 phone line to help people with opioid use disorder who are interested in buprenorphine treatment or are experiencing opioid withdrawal symptoms access providers, medication, and outpatient treatment. Patients who contact this number will be connected to a buprenorphine-waivered physician in real time to diagnose and treat opioid use disorder and opioid withdrawal over the phone. If appropriate, a provider will electronically prescribe buprenorphine to be picked up the same day, provide instructions for unobserved buprenorphine initiation, and facilitate intake with an outpatient provider for ongoing opioid use disorder management. Additionally, emergency department providers across the state can contact the hotline at the same number to discuss any buprenorphine-related questions with an experienced prescriber in real-time.

Who is eligible to get a buprenorphine prescription by calling the hotline?
Anyone who lives in Rhode Island.

What insurance do you need to have to be eligible? If you have insurance, are there copays?
The call costs nothing and you don’t need insurance to talk to a prescriber. Costs for medications are dependent on your insurance. However, there are coupons available that can help make medications more affordable:
https://www.goodrx.com/buprenorphine-naloxone
https://www.goodrx.com/narcan

Will my information be confidential?
Yes. All calls are completely confidential.

What are the hours of operation?
24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with a call back within 1 hour.

Who will answer the phone? Will I be speaking with a medical provider?
A call center provider will answer the phone, register the patient, and connect them to a prescriber.

Detoxification (detox) — Short-term care centers where you go to get opioids out of your system and make sure you’re medically stable and safe. Detox centers may also offer counseling and help finding long-term treatment options.

Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) — Using medicine (like buprenorphine, naltrexone, or methadone) with therapy to treat substance abuse.

Outpatient treatment — Programs to support your mental health and substance use. Recovery programs where you have therapy, create goals, and get medical support on a daily basis. You don’t stay overnight at an outpatient treatment center.

Peer-to-peer support programs — Places where you can get support from other people in recovery, including support from a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist.

Residential treatment — Live-in housing programs that offer substance abuse therapy and services for a longer period of time, usually 30 to 90 days.

Rhode Island Centers of Excellence (COE) are specialty centers that use evidence-based practices and provide treatment and the coordination of care to individuals with moderate to severe opioid use disorder.