Opiate Addiction Treatment

Suboxone / Buprenorphine

A recent introduction into the pharmacologic treatment of opiate addiction has come about with the Federal approval of Suboxone. Suboxone is a combination of a narcotic, Buprenorphine, and a narcotic antagonist, Naloxone or Subutex. Buprenorphine alone is an oral preparation that can be administered on an outpatient basis by appropriately certified addiction medicine physicians.

Buprenorphine is a narcotic whose mode of action is somewhat different than other commonly used and abused narcotics such as heroin, oxycontin, percocet, vicodin etc. (See Opiate drug list). It is very long acting, and is not associated with the induction of “highs” seen with these other opiates. Because of its long action, Buprenorphine is easier to use for a gradual reduction of use, and produces significantly fewer side effects associated with withdrawal symptoms. Like Methadone, it can be used as a maintenance medication, allowing a patient the opportunity to lead a productive life without the need to spend significant periods of time either seeking drugs or going to a methadone clinic. Buprenorphine is distributed in a private physician’s office.

For some people Buprenorphine therapy is not successful. Rapid detox treatment is available to stop dependency on Buprenorphine. Rapid detoxification at ODI (Opiate Detoxification Institute) consists of a two week program during which a patient undergoes a medical procedure under brief general anesthesia, followed by a 3-4 day hospital stay to assist in further recovery. Treatment is rendered under the care of board certified anesthesiologists, pain management specialists and psychiatrists.