Controlled substances are prescribed sparingly in this practice. This class of medication is highly regulated by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). Prescribing such medications is closely monitored and providers are held accountable for prescribing practices. These types of drugs are addictive and have a high rate of misuse/abuse. In addition, many of these medications are intended for short term use only. State laws require that additional measures be taken when prescribing controlled substances. The safety and care of our clients is our number one priority!

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A controlled substance is generally a drug or chemical whose manufacture, possession, or use is regulated by a government, such as illicitly used drugs or prescription medications that are designated by law.

Many of the medications prescribed for ADHD, Anxiety, Pain Management, Opioid Use Disorder, and Insomnia are drugs that are considered controlled substances. Some examples of controlled medications include, but are NOT limited to Adderall, Vyvanse, Klonopin, Ativan, Hydrocodone, Oxycodone, Tramadol, Suboxone, Ambien, Lunesta, etc. 

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It is the expectation of this practice that the controlled medication will be taken as prescribed and not self-adjusted. This means you will not increase or decrease your dose or stop taking it without talking to your prescribing provider. 

Self-adjusting prescribed psychiatric medications can be dangerous and can lead to seizures, or death. Mixing these controlled medications with other substances such as alcohol, narcotics (pain pills), muscle relaxers, or other controlled substances can also lead to death.

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Self-adjusting controlled substances will be considered non-compliance. This type of non-compliance may result in discharge from our practice, as it places a huge liability on our ability to safely manage your care.

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CONTROLLED MEDICATIONS WILL NOT BE REFILLED EARLY. It is your responsibility to take them only as prescribed. Insurances will also not pay for them to be filled early. Please do not call the office asking for them to be refilled early.

In order to ensure regular refills and continuation of your medication, it is the patient’s responsibility to be ON TIME AND PRESENT AT ALL APPOINTMENTS. Missed appointments will result in prescriptions not being refilled and require the patient to reschedule to the next available appointment for a refill. 

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Patients are expected to bring any controlled substances prescribed by RVMW providers to each appointment for a medication count. You may be asked to bring medications in for random pill counts between appointments. If you are asked to present for a pill count, this must be completed within 24 hours of notification. 

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CONTROLLED MEDICATIONS WILL NOT BE REPLACED. It is your responsibility to make sure that your medication is kept in a secure place to prevent loss or theft. If you report to our office that your controlled medication(s) has been lost, misplaced or stolen, it will not be replaced.

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Controlled substances are monitored through the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program. As is required from providers, we obtain, review, and monitor Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs in various states. This includes monitoring for multiple controlled substances prescriptions, multiple providers, usage of multiple pharmacies, and any activity that could be suspicious for misuse. We work closely with pharmacies and may be notified by the pharmacy if there is concern for misuse. 

We expect full disclosure from you on any controlled substances you obtain from other sources (even the Emergency Department) while under our care. If it is identified that this information has been hidden or omitted by you, it is grounds for immediate discontinuation of any controlled substances, or any medications prescribed by our providers as well as possible immediate dismissal from River Valley Medical Wellness.

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Changes in your dosages of controlled substances will not occur between scheduled appointments, nor will they be adjusted before your current prescription is due to be refilled. 

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If you come to our practice already on controlled substances from another provider, that does not mean that we will automatically assume these same or even similar medications. Our providers reserve the right to complete their own assessment and make treatment recommendations based on their professional judgment. Our practice does not prescribe exceedingly high doses of controlled substances and we are not obliged to assume such from other providers. If it is felt that such a medication could benefit you, you will be tapered down to a dose that is considered safe or placed on another alternative medication that may not be a controlled substance. 

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Patients will be asked to obtain either a Urine or Blood drug screen prior to any controlled substance being prescribed. This includes patients who have appointments by telemedicine. Completion of drug screens is the personal and financial responsibility of the patient these medications are prescribed for. Drug screens help to determine the presence or absence of controlled substances.

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Patients may be required to present for random urine drug screens between appointments. Patients must present within 24 hours of being called in for a random drug screen. It is the patient’s responsibility to keep RVMW up to date with their contact information so you can be reached. 

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Testing negative for prescribed controlled substances or positive for additional controlled or illicit substances not prescribed by our providers will be considered a breach of the controlled substance policy and grounds for immediate discontinuation of the drug prescribed and/or from the practice.

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By signing, I acknowledge that I have read this document and agree to comply with this policy. I understand that my failure to comply may result in my dismissal as a patient of River Valley Medical Wellness.