Frequently Asked Questions

Dr. Bardi has experience treating a wide range of addictions and habit disorders. A full list can be found here.

Patterns of substance use vary from person to person, and not everyone who uses a substance or drinks alcohol has an addiction (also known as a substance use disorder). Whether you have a true substance use disorder, substance dependence, or just want to use less, the right medical treatment can help you meet your goal.

Yes. Please note that as per Ohio law, parents must provide written consent for treatment with buprenorphine (Suboxone, Zubsolv) for minors with opioid use disorder.

Yes! We are currently accepting patients for the practice opening of March 2026. Join the waitlist by filling out the contact form and Dr. Bardi will be in touch with you to discuss next steps.

The office will be located on Cleveland's west side in the suburb of Lakewood. The exact location is TBD — check back soon for updates!

Yes! Virtual appointments are available for anyone residing in the state of Ohio. Please note that some conditions require an initial and periodic in-person visits.

Call, send an email, or fill out the contact form to join the waitlist and Dr. Bardi will be in touch with you personally.

Treatment at Laura Bardi MD was designed by Dr. Bardi to be fundamentally different from traditional treatment programs and rehabs. Here are the biggest things that set apart this program:

• Treatment is provided solely by a specialist physician who is an expert in treating addictions and habit disorders.
• Flexible, personalized treatment that can include hypnotherapy, medication management, or both.
• Visits are unhurried and are always one-on-one with Dr. Bardi.
• Visits happen in the comfort and privacy of a doctor's office, where treatment is confidential.
• Ability to reach Dr. Bardi directly, by phone or email, outside of your appointments.
• Simple and transparent pricing with no surprise bills.

Dr. Bardi believes that getting treatment for an addiction or habit disorder should be no different than getting treatment for any other medical condition. That means all visits are one-on-one with Dr. Bardi, in the comfort and privacy of a doctor's office. Visits can be in-person or virtual (though some conditions require in-person visits). You and Dr. Bardi will work together to develop a personalized treatment plan that suits your specific needs and goals — this may include medications, hypnotherapy, or both. Throughout your treatment, you and Dr. Bardi will continually revisit your individual treatment progress and goals, making adjustments as necessary.

At your initial evaluation, Dr. Bardi will obtain a comprehensive history and perform a physical exam in order to develop a personalized treatment plan for you. She will then provide an overview of various treatment options, which may include hypnotherapy, medication management, or both. This will depend on your diagnosis, treatment goals, and preferences. Medications may or may not be prescribed at the initial appointment, depending on your specific treatment plan.

Medication management: At your initial evaluation, Dr. Bardi will discuss various treatment recommendations with you, which may include the addition of medication. Medications, if used, will be monitored and adjusted as needed throughout treatment. The exact medications prescribed will vary depending on your diagnosis, preferences, and goals for treatment.

Hypnotherapy: May be done alone or in combination with medication treatment. See the Hypnotherapy section below for more information.

Outpatient detox: 5-day home detox for mild-to-moderate substance withdrawal.

Dr. Bardi prescribes a number of medications to treat substance dependence, addictions, and withdrawal. Many of these are medications used to reduce cravings, such as buprenorphine (Suboxone, Zubsolv) for opioid use disorder and naltrexone for gambling disorder. Other medications are prescribed to reduce acute and chronic withdrawal symptoms, and yet others help to reduce the risk of a future relapse. The exact medications prescribed to you will depend on your specific need and goals.

Yes. Dr. Bardi administers Vivitrol in the office. Controlled substances such as Sublocade and Brixadi are administered by our partner pharmacy, Genoa Healthcare (located on Carnegie and E. 36th St.

The length of treatment will differ for each person, and depends on your specific concerns, diagnosis, treatment goals, and individual treatment plan. Dr. Bardi will work with you to re-evaluate your goals and treatment progress throughout treatment and make adjustments as needed.

No. If Dr. Bardi feels counseling would help you meet your treatment goals, she will gladly provide you with a referral to a recommended counselor or psychologist.

No. Although these can be helpful, they are not for everyone, and the quality of these treatments varies greatly from one program to another. We do not offer or require participation in any of these types of programs. All visits are private and one-on-one with Dr. Bardi.

Dr. Bardi feels strongly that substance use treatment should be private and confidential, just like treatment for any other medical condition. Except in very rare circumstances (as required/permitted by law), Dr. Bardi will not disclose information about your treatment to others, including your other medical providers, without your specific consent.

Treatment at Laura Bardi MD may be right for you if all of the following apply:

• You are concerned about your substance use or are struggling with an addiction or habit disorder (gambling, sex, overeating, etc.).
• You are interested in medication treatment and/or hypnotherapy.
• You value high-quality, unhurried visits with a physician who knows you and takes the time to understand your unique needs.
• You value privacy and confidentiality of your treatment.

Hypnosis is a state of consciousness characterized by inwardly focused concentration and deep relaxation. It is also known as trance. Hypnotherapy is a treatment technique that employs the use of positive (therapeutic) suggestions given while a person is in hypnosis, with the intent of treating a specific condition.

During hypnosis, the conscious, critical mind is relaxed and relatively inactive, while the subconscious mind is highly active. In this state, the mind becomes more open to therapeutic suggestions given by the hypnotherapist, which are more easily absorbed and incorporated than they would be under normal circumstances. The relatively greater activity of the subconscious mind in this state also allows the person in hypnosis to tap into their own insight and inner resources which may be unavailable to them during normal consciousness. In these ways, hypnosis can help people make positive changes in their habits and behaviors and has been found to be an effective treatment for many physical and psychological conditions.

Yes. Hypnotherapy is remarkably safe and well-tolerated in both children and adults.

Virtually anyone can be hypnotized if they are willing. The only person who cannot be hypnotized is the person who does not want to be hypnotized. The patient must be a willing participant, for hypnosis to be achieved and for hypnotherapy to be effective. Some people find it naturally easier than others to get into deep hypnosis, but if you are willing to try and be open to the experience, you can do it!

Yes! Decades of research in the fields of psychiatry and psychology have found hypnotherapy to be an effective treatment for many types of addictions. These include tobacco use, alcohol use, other substance use disorders, gambling addiction, gaming addiction, compulsive eating, and others.

Contrary to popular belief, hypnosis is NOT mind control. In fact, the person being hypnotized stays in control the entire time. The hypnotherapist is simply helping to guide the patient into hypnosis intentionally, but the person being hypnotized must be a willing participant. Should the person wish to come out of hypnosis, all they would need to do is open their eyes.

No. Being in hypnosis is not the same as being asleep. During hypnosis, you will remain awake but relaxed and in a state of inwardly-focused concentration. In this state, the subconscious mind is highly active and open to positive suggestions, which is what makes hypnotherapy unique and such an effective treatment.

No. Even if you were not awakened by the hypnotist, eventually nature would call and you would return to normal conscious state on your own.

No. Typically you will simply be relaxing comfortably in a chair, listening to the therapeutic suggestions given by Dr. Bardi. Sometimes you may be asked to nod your head in response to certain suggestions.

No. It is impossible to hypnotize someone to do something that is against their wishes or morals.

Most people are able to remember parts of the session, but may not remember everything the hypnotherapist said.

During the hypnotherapy session, Dr. Bardi will gently guide you into a state of deep relaxation and inward focus called hypnosis. You will remain fully awake and in control the entire time. Once you are in this relaxed state, Dr. Bardi will use specific techniques of therapeutic suggestions tailored to your area of concern and treatment goals. At the end of the session, you will be gently guided out of hypnosis and back to a normal state of consciousness, feeling refreshed and energized. The actual amount of time you will be in hypnosis is about 30-40 minutes.

This will depend on several factors, but most patients need 3-7 sessions to enjoy long-lasting benefits.

Treatment is $165 per session. (Treatment in combination with medication management is $280 per visit.)

This depends on the individual and the condition being treated, but the positive effects are often long-lasting or even permanent (for example, in the case of smoking cessation).

Dr. Bardi will perform a thorough evaluation to determine if you are eligible for home detox but, in general, this program is suitable for those with mild-to-moderate substance use disorders that have never experienced severe withdrawal complications (e.g. seizures, delirium tremens) and are in generally good health.

The program includes:

• Initial consultation and treatment planning with Dr. Bardi (30-60 minutes)
• Daily virtual visits/check-ins with Dr. Bardi, starting when you are ready to begin your detox and continuing for five days
• Ability to contact Dr. Bardi directly with questions and concerns outside of your appointments
• Prescriptions for comfort medications for withdrawal symptoms, such as ibuprofen, ropinirole, hydroxyzine, trazodone, ondansetron (Zofran), loperamide (Imodium), clonidine, and dicyclomine. (Note that the cost of the medications at the pharmacy is not included.)
• Treatment with a gabapentin or diazepam taper for patients with alcohol use disorder or benzodiazepine use disorder (if determined to be appropriate by Dr. Bardi)
• Buprenorphine (Suboxone/Zubsolv) induction for patients with OUD or kratom use disorder

No. Dr. Bardi will send the prescriptions to your pharmacy of choice, and you can use your regular insurance at the pharmacy. Most of the medications prescribed for management of withdrawal symptoms are affordable and available in generic formulations.

Yes. An abundance of research has shown that mild-to-moderate withdrawal can safely be managed at home with proper medication and support. Though no medical treatment is completely without risks, the risk of complications during home detox is very low.

Generally, no. However, if after the initial consultation you are found not to be eligible for home detox, you will receive a partial refund.

The cost of the program is $875.

All treatment and services are self-pay and can be done by cash, check, debit card, and credit card.

No. Payment is due at the time of service.

No, Dr. Bardi does not contract with commercial insurance companies or Medicaid. All services are self-pay only and prices are listed on the Pricing page. Patients can still use their insurance when filling medications prescribed by Dr. Bardi, as they normally would at the pharmacy.

Unfortunately, not at this time. Dr. Bardi does not contract with Medicare and due to federal regulations, cannot accept payment for services that are generally covered by Medicare (e.g. addiction treatment).

In order to be able to provide the highest-quality treatment that is tailored to your needs, Dr. Bardi does not contract with insurance companies and all services are self-pay. This allows Dr. Bardi to spend less time dealing with insurance companies and more time caring for patients. The benefits of self-pay treatment for you include simple, transparent pricing, no surprise bills, maximum treatment privacy, longer visits, and comprehensive personalized treatment.

At other treatment programs, you are lumped in with everyone else: herded through a predetermined treatment plan that often includes rigid requirements, inflexible appointments, long waits, and lack of privacy. Many programs have no specialty-trained medical staff and most treat only a few types of addiction. At Laura Bardi MD, you will work with Dr. Bardi one-on-one to develop the right treatment plan for your needs and goals, which can include medication management, hypnotherapy, or both. Your treatment is personalized, comfortable, and private, in the comfort of a doctor's office. Every visit is with your doctor who understands your unique history and is an expert in treating your condition. And outside your appointments, you can reach Dr. Bardi directly—no phone trees or schedulers. Additionally, pricing is always simple and transparent, with no surprise bills.