Frequently Asked Questions About Online Addiction Treatment

Yes. When provided by licensed physicians using evidence-based medications and regular follow-up, online addiction treatment can be effective for many people with alcohol or opioid use disorder.

For some patients, receiving care from home improves consistency and engagement, which are important factors in recovery.

No. Online addiction treatment is a form of outpatient medical care, not inpatient rehabilitation.

This approach is designed for individuals who want physician-led treatment while continuing daily responsibilities such as work, family, and school. Some people benefit from rehab, while others do well with outpatient care. Our board-certified addiction medicine physician can help determine what level of care is appropriate.

There are several considerations that can help you assess your situation and determine whether or not you need treatment for opioid use disorder or alcohol use disorder. 

For example, if you find it difficult to stop or limit your use of the substance despite repeated attempts at quitting, this may be a sign you need treatment. Another sign you might need treatment is if your substance use has resulted in neglecting work, school, or family responsibilities, or if personal and professional relationships have become strained or difficult because of your substance use. Other signs include experiencing physical or psychological symptoms when you stop using the substance, or spending a significant amount of time thinking about, obtaining, or recovering from substance use. Please call our office to speak to one of our physicians if you need guidance and support in navigating addiction recovery. 

Buprenorphine (also known as Suboxone) is a partial opioid agonist, meaning that it binds to the same opioid receptors in the brain that heroin or prescription opioids do, but activates them less strongly. It reduces the withdrawal symptoms and cravings associated with physical dependency to opioids. When taken as prescribed, buprenorphine is safe and effective.  

Yes. Buprenorphine (Suboxone) treatment delivered through telehealth is considered safe and effective when prescribed and monitored by a licensed physician.

Online care allows for regular medical follow-up, medication adjustments, and ongoing support — without requiring frequent in-person clinic visits.

Many people seek treatment more than once. Prior experiences do not mean treatment won’t help now.

Addiction is a chronic medical condition, and responses to treatment can change over time. A physician-led, individualized approach may feel different from what you’ve tried in the past.

Yes. All visits are conducted using secure telehealth platforms, and your care is handled with discretion and respect. 

Many patients choose online addiction treatment because it offers privacy and reduces concerns about stigma.

Treatment plans are individualized. Your physician will work with you to determine a safe and appropriate approach based on your situation, health history, and goals.

You do not need to have everything figured out before your first visit.

No. You do not have to follow a vegan diet to participate in the Bayani program.

Our nutrition approach is plant-forward, meaning most meals are built around foods like vegetables, beans, lentils, tofu, tempeh, seitan, whole grains, nuts, and seeds. We also include eggs as an option for a convenient, high-quality protein source. These foods support stable blood sugar, metabolic recovery, and overall health. 

However, we recognize that recovery and lifestyle change need to be realistic and sustainable. 

Our focus is not strict dietary labels. Instead, we focus on:

• Adequate protein to support recovery and metabolic health 
• Stable blood sugar to reduce cravings and energy crashes
• Whole, minimally processed foods that support long-term wellbeing

Some patients eat fully plant-based. Others include eggs occasionally. Still others only eat plant-based three days a week. Both approaches can work within the program.

The goal is a way of eating that supports recovery, strength, and long-term health — not rigid rules.

No. Our program does not require eliminating all sugar or carbohydrates.

Carbohydrates are an important source of energy, and many nutrient-dense foods—such as beans, lentils, fruit, and whole grains—naturally contain carbohydrates. Instead of strict elimination, we focus on blood sugar stability, which can play an important role in recovery and craving management. This typically means emphasizing:

• Fiber-rich carbohydrates such as beans, lentils, and whole grains
• Pairing carbohydrates with adequate protein
• Limiting highly processed foods and large amounts of added sugar

Most patients find that when meals include enough protein, fiber, and healthy fats, cravings and energy swings naturally become easier to manage. 

The goal is not perfection. It is steady energy, improved metabolic health, and sustainable habits.

No. The nutrition framework we use is designed to help patients build long-term habits, not follow a temporary or rigid diet.

During the early phases of recovery, more structure can be helpful. Stable nutrition supports:

• Energy
• Mood regulation
• Metabolic health
• Reduced cravings

Over time, most patients learn how to build balanced meals on their own and develop a style of eating that works for their lifestyle.

Our goal is not strict rules. It is helping you develop a sustainable, recovery-supportive way of eating that you can maintain long after treatment ends.

That’s totally okay.

Medication and medical support are the most important first steps for many people. In our program, nutrition and lifestyle changes are actually introduced gradually as recovery stabilizes.

Our patients begin by focusing primarily on medication and stabilization. We gradually incorporate nutrition and exercise once past the induction phase, as patients feel stronger.

Recovery is a process. Our role is to support you step by step, not overwhelm you with expectations.

Bayani Health focuses on medical treatment for addiction. While counseling and therapy can be helpful for many people, they are not required to begin treatment. 

A combination of medication-assisted treatment and therapy is obviously ideal - along with other resources such as recovery coaching, support groups, and employment support. However, the reality is that only about 10-20% of people with opioid use disorder are getting adequate treatment for their chronic disease, due to flaws in our healthcare system and shortages in therapists qualified to treat addiction. In addition, treatment with buprenorphine alone - without therapy - has proven to be effective. So, while we do encourage patients to seek therapy with a qualified provider, we will not turn you away simply because you don’t currently have a therapist.  

Your physician can discuss whether additional support may be beneficial as part of your care.

The maintenance phase of buprenorphine treatment involves continuing the dose that is effective for preventing withdrawal symptoms and reducing cravings. The length of time for this particular phase varies; it can last for months to years depending on the individual. However, at some point in time when you and our addiction medicine physician collaboratively decide it’s appropriate, a gradual tapering of buprenorphine may be initiated to safely discontinue the medication. This process involves reducing the dose of buprenorphine slowly over time to minimize withdrawal symptoms, and the pace of tapering differs from person to person.

For alcohol use disorder, medication may be continued long-term if effective and well-tolerated. However, in some cases, you and our addiction medicine physician may consider discontinuing disulfiram after a period of sustained sobriety and stability.

If you are experiencing an urgent medical condition, please contact your local urgent care or your primary care provider. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please contact 9-1-1. Please do not delay care by contacting our office or waiting for an appointment.

We provide online addiction treatment services to adults located in Washington State.

Getting started is simple. Schedule your first appointment or call/text 253-389-4881 if you'd like to enroll. Once enrolled, we'll send you a link to complete a confidential online intake form, through your patient portal. 

If you’re still unsure whether online addiction treatment is right for you, an introductory call with our addiction medicine physician can help you decide — without pressure. There is no obligation to continue beyond that introductory call.