|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Copyright 2010 DWI Services, Inc. Center Photo Copyright Art Cole.
*Buprenorphine(Suboxone): What is it?It is an effective medication for those who become addicted to pain medication or those using heroin. Usually it is called Suboxone or Subutex. For years, the only effective treatment available for those addicted was methadone. Although effective, it works better long term, over years, and requires frequent weekly visits to a clinic. Buprenorphine treatment is short term, approximately one to three years. Once stabilized on the medication and in treatment, patients receive a thirty day prescription and are seen for reviews and refills once a month. Patients must be in at least once a week outpatient program for counseling and random urinalysis. Is it addictive? Yes. However, it is a very low dose opiate that keeps the patient safe while their brain chemistry takes the time to return to normal. The doctor then conducts a slow, comfortable taper down.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||