Buprenorphine Therapy
Buprenorphine therapy involves the medically supervised use of Suboxone (Buprenorphine-Naloxone), which is a prescription drug used to treat patients who are addicted to opioids and other narcotics. It can also be used to treat pain. At 12:1 Healthcare we provide this service within the primary care setting to allow for privacy as well as convenience. This medication contains both buprenorphine and naloxone and is taken sublingually (under the tongue). Suboxone acts to prevent the intense symptoms (i.e., pain, cravings) caused by withdrawal from opioids that typically make it even harder to kick the habit. Buprenorphine therapy combined with psychotherapy has helped many patients recover from their addiction to opioids. Unlike methadone, Suboxone is non-habit-forming, which is why it is increasingly becoming the favored method for opioid addiction treatment.
How Buprenorphine Therapy Works
Buprenorphine therapy works best when the patient has already begun to experience withdrawal symptoms following detoxification. At this stage, the opioids have left the opioid receptors – which is the perfect time for the buprenorphine from Suboxone to bind to them, essentially replacing the opioid with a neutralizing agent.
The result? A great improvement of the patient’s withdrawal symptoms, along with suppression of cravings. Plus, if the patient does end up relapsing and taking the addictive heroin or prescription painkillers, the Suboxone acts to weaken its effects – thereby making the drug less palatable to the user. By taking the dosage as prescribed or given by your doctor, the Suboxone will keep the opioid receptors filled up and occupied. This leaves no room for other opioids to produce the desired maximum effects.
