California Addiction Medicine

Simplifying access to medications and injections to treat substance use disorder.

Evening and weekend appointments available

We Accept Insurance:

Treatment that fits into your life

Our mission is to increase access to addiction medicine care for California residents using telemedicine. We offer appointment timings after work hours and on weekends. You are in the right place if you need simple access to medications like buprenorphine/suboxone, naltrexone, and injections (sublocade, vivitrol). For programs, our clinic integrates into treatment settings to increase their menu of treatment options.

How it Works

1

  • Complete your insurance verification, scheduling, and intake online and from the privacy of home.

2

  • Click your online link to join your video visit privately from your home. Your provider will be waiting for you. No waiting rooms or paperwork.

3

  • Your prescription is securely and electronically sent to your pharmacy at your visit. No drop off and wait -they can call you when its ready.

Testimonials

  • “Marie was super warm and understanding. She made me feel comfortable and I didn't feel judged as I told her my story. She got me. I was on methadone and wanted to transition to subs because I got a new job. We used a new way of starting suboxone without needing to stop methadone or go into withdrawal at all.”

    Ray

  • “I don't have an addiction, but just needed help controlling my drinking. I did a lot of research already and knew what I wanted. They were both open to the plan that I had for myself. I used medication briefly to help. I saw two providers and they were both great.”

    Chris

  • "We brought our son to get help to stop using drugs. After many family visits we learned lot about this problem. Things getting better. Thank you."

    Sara

Our Providers

We believe the medical science works and our mission is to simply increase access to it. Our approach is nonjudgmental, motivational, and compassionate.

Amer Raheemullah, MD | Medical Director

Dr. Amer Raheemullah, MD, specializes in treating addictive disorders. He is an Associate Clinical Professor at Stanford University in the Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Department and Director of the Addiction Inpatient Medical Service at Stanford Hospital. His research focuses on addiction medicine and his clinical care focuses on the latest evidence-based approaches. He completed his Addiction Medicine Fellowship Training at Stanford University School of Medicine and has dual-board certification in Addiction Medicine and Internal Medicine. A list of publications can be seen here.

Marie Magana, PMHNP-BC

Marie brings a unique and comprehensive approach to mental health care. Her expertise lies in assessing, diagnosing, and treating individuals struggling with substance use disorders. She provides a crucial bridge between psychiatry and addiction medicine. With a deep understanding of both the physiological and psychological aspects of addiction, she offers personalized treatment plans that address the complexities of each client's situation. Marie is focused on widening access to addiction treatment by providing underutilized, evidence-based therapies. She is client-focused and uses the principles of CBT and MI to offer more options for her clients.

Bridging the Gap in Addiction Science

Watch the video to get a sense of our science-based approach to addiction medicine care, where our medical director describes the latest science in buprenorphine induction strategies.

Presentation on the Menu of Buprenorphine Inductions at the Reagan-Udall Foundation for the FDA. For full video, click here.

Addiction Medicine Services

Opioids/Fentanyl

  • We prescribe buprenorphine for the treatment of opioid use disorder. We specialize in starting buprenorphine in people with fentanyl use and can review the science showing three options to start buprenorphine - low dose (microdose), high dose (macrodose), and standard inductions. We prescribe all medications for opioid use disorder except methadone. We cannot administer injections.

  • Patients will undergo an initial evaluation of their medical history. The focus is usually on how to most comfortably start buprenorphine to alleviate your withdrawal.

  • Buprenorphine is a scheduled medication that is tightly regulated by the federal government. Our clinic has several program requirements. These include attendance to groups, drug tests, and a commitment to stay substance free.

Alcohol

  • Naltrexone, acamprosate, disulfiram (antabuse), gabapentin, topiramate (topamax), baclofen. These medications can be prescribed for a range of goals based on patient preference. These goals include reducing heavy drinking, moderating drinking, or stopping drinking. The medications work by promoting abstinence, reducing cravings, preventing relapse, and diminishing the pleasurable effects of alcohol. We can use the Sinclair method with Naltrexone. Our clinic does not have the capacity to administer injections.

  • Patients will undergo an initial evaluation of their medical history. We work with patients regardless of their drinking goals. Patients do not have to have an addiction to benefit from treatment. Some patients will simply want to gain more control over their drinking. Others may need treatment of their withdrawal symptoms. Treatment plans are individualized to each patients individual circumstances.

  • Patients meet for medication management and to help organize goals for treatment. If helpful for patients, we encourage using support groups, therapy, treatment programs, and other treatment modalities where appropriate.

Nicotine

  • Chantix, Combined Nicotine Replacement, and Zyban are medications use to help people quit smoking.

  • Patients undergo an initial medical evaluation. This includes smoking history and previous quit attempts. Treatment plans are individualized for patients.

  • Patients are followed during their quit attempt to help them keep track of their goals. Program is individualized to the needs of patients. We encourage patients incorporate smoking cessation programs and coaching along with their medications.

Meth/Stimulants

  • Wellbutrin plus Naltrexone has been shown to help people reduce their meth use. We do not prescribe stimulants to treat stimulant use disorders.

  • Patients will undergo an initial evaluation of their medical history and substance use disorder history. The prevalence of psychosis associated with stimulant and meth use is high. Since our clinic is not equipped to treat severe psychiatric illness, patients with severe mental illness, schizophrenia, or psychosis will be referred to psychiatry or a higher level of care.

  • Patients are encouraged to enter into a treatment program in their community along with their medication management at our clinic. Treatment programs and contingency management are more important interventions than medications for stimulant use disorder. As such, an emphasis will be placed on these interventions while patients undergo a medication trial.

Cannabis

  • Gabapentin has been shown to be helpful in reducing cannabis use.

  • Patients will undergo an initial evaluation of their medical and substance use history to see if they qualify for medication management for cannabis use disorder. The prevalence of psychosis associated with cannabis is increasing. Since our clinic is not equipped to treat psychosis, patients with severe mental illness, schizophrenia, or psychosis will be referred to psychiatry or a higher level of care.

  • Patients are encouraged to enter into a treatment program in their community along with their medication management at our clinic. Treatment programs and individual/group therapy are more important interventions than medications for cannabis use disorder. As such, an emphasis will be placed on these interventions while patients undergo a medication trial.

Withdrawal

  • Withdrawal medications exist for opioids, alcohol, cannabis, and nicotine.

  • Patients who present for the treatment of substance use disorder will have an evaluation to assess and treatment withdrawal when appropriate.

  • Withdrawal can last days to weeks. Minor withdrawal symptoms can persist for longer periods and can be treated accordingly. Patients who do not have a substance use disorder will be treated in our tapering program.