TL;DR:
- Yes, you can absolutely travel while on Opioid Agonist Treatment (OAT). Recovery should not mean putting your life on hold.
- The key to successful travel is planning ahead. You must speak with your doctor at Arrow Medical at least a few weeks before your trip.
- For short trips within Ontario, you may be able to get extra take-home doses (“carries”).
- For longer trips or travel outside the province/country, your clinic can arrange for you to receive “guest dosing” at another licensed clinic in your destination city.
- Never travel with your medication without the proper documentation from your doctor.
Table of Contents
- The Golden Rule of Travelling on OAT: Plan Ahead!
- Option 1: Travel with Take-Home Doses (Carries)
- Option 2: Arranging for Guest Dosing
- Travelling Internationally: Special Considerations
- Frequently Asked Questions
Being in recovery and on a treatment like methadone or Suboxone means you are taking a powerful step to reclaim your life. A big part of living a full life is the ability to travel—whether it’s for a family wedding, a vacation, or a work trip.
A common question we hear at our clinics is, “Can I travel while on my treatment?” The answer is a resounding yes! With proper planning and communication with your medical team at Arrow Medical, you can travel safely without interrupting your treatment. This guide will walk you through the process.
The Golden Rule of Travelling on OAT: Plan Ahead
You cannot decide to go on a trip tomorrow and expect your medication to be ready. Arranging for travel doses takes time, paperwork, and coordination.
You must speak to your doctor or the clinic staff at least 2-4 weeks before you plan to travel.
This gives us enough time to assess your situation and make the necessary arrangements, whether it’s providing extra carries or coordinating with another clinic. Last-minute requests are very difficult, and often impossible, to accommodate.
Option 1: Travel with Take-Home Doses (Carries)
If you are stable in your treatment and have already earned take-home privileges, this is often the simplest option, especially for shorter trips.
How it Works:
- You will discuss your travel dates with your doctor.
- If you are eligible, your doctor may be able to prescribe you enough carries to cover the duration of your trip.
- You may receive a letter or documentation from the clinic confirming that the medication has been prescribed to you.
This option is typically best for:
- Weekend trips or travel for a few days within Ontario or Canada.
- Patients who have a proven track record of managing their carries responsibly.
Option 2: Arranging for Guest Dosing
For longer trips, or if you are not yet eligible for a large number of carries, guest dosing is the standard procedure.
| What is Guest Dosing? Guest dosing is a formal arrangement where your home clinic (Arrow Medical) coordinates with a licensed OAT clinic in the city you are visiting. We send them your prescription and relevant medical information, and you pick up your daily dose from them during your trip. |
The Process:
- You Tell Us Where You’re Going: You provide us with your travel destination and dates.
- We Find a Clinic: Our staff will find a licensed clinic in that area and contact them to see if they can accept you as a temporary guest patient.
- Paperwork is Exchanged: We will securely send the necessary paperwork, including your prescription, to the host clinic. Please note that some clinics charge a fee for guest dosing.
- You Get the Details: We will give you the name, address, and hours of the clinic you will be visiting. It’s a good idea to call them yourself before you leave to confirm the details.
Guest dosing requires significant coordination, which is why giving us several weeks of notice is so important.
Travelling Internationally: Special Considerations
Travelling outside of Canada with methadone or Suboxone is much more complicated and requires even more advanced planning.
- Legality Varies by Country: Some countries have extremely strict laws about opioids, and it may be illegal to bring methadone or Suboxone into the country, even with a prescription.
- Embassy/Consulate Contact: You or the clinic staff MUST contact the embassy or consulate of the country you plan to visit to find out their specific laws and requirements. This can take a long time.
- Documentation is Critical: If it is permitted, you will need extensive documentation from your doctor.
International travel is not always possible, depending on the destination. It is crucial to research this months in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I just take extra medication from a friend or the street while I’m away?
Absolutely not. This is incredibly dangerous and could lead to a fatal overdose. The street supply is unpredictable, and taking medication that isn’t prescribed for you can have devastating consequences. The only safe way to travel is with medication arranged through your clinic.
Q: What if there is no clinic where I’m going?
This can be a challenge, especially for travel to more remote areas. In some cases, it may mean that travel to that specific destination is not possible without interrupting your treatment. We will do our best to coordinate your carries if this is the case, but may not always be possible. This is another reason why planning far in advance is so important—it gives you time to change your plans if needed.
Q: How much does guest dosing cost?
The fees for guest dosing are set by the host clinic and can vary widely, from a small administrative fee to a more significant daily or weekly charge. We will do our best to find out this information for you, but you should be prepared for a potential cost.
Q: What do I need to bring to a guest dosing clinic?
You will need to bring a valid photo ID. It’s also a good idea to have the phone number of your home clinic (Arrow Medical) with you in case there are any issues.
Your recovery is about getting your life back, and that includes the freedom to travel. By working together and planning ahead, we can make sure you do it safely. Talk to the team at your Arrow Medical clinic about your travel plans today.