Buprenorphine MAT Treatment Programs

 Buprenorphine is a medication that is used in the treatment of opioid use disorders (OUD) to alleviate the withdrawal symptoms associated with detox. This medication can be prescribed by physicians which has significantly increased access to life-saving treatment for those suffering from OUD. Buprenorphine offers many benefits for those seeking treatment including people who cannot commit the time to enter a opioid treatment program.

Please contact us by phone for immediate assistance. This is a necessary step in beginning the recovery process for yourself or for a loved one. Our addiction treatment specialists and staff have over 25 years of experience in helping people find effective and affordable treatment for all addictions. What you tell us is completely confidential. We are HIPAA compliant. We are here to answer your questions and to get you (or a loved one) into treatment today. For immediate intake, call us now.

1-800-513-5423

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What you will learn:

*How Buprenorphine Works
*Buprenorphine for opioid use disorder
*How to find a Buprenorphine treatment program
*Will insurance cover buprenorphine treatment programs?
*Buprenorphine safety precautions
*Serious and common side effects of using buprenorphine
*Is buprenorphine safe for pregnant or breastfeeding women?

How we can help

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How Buprenorphine Works

Buprenorphine is an opioid partial agonist. The effects of buprenorphine include a euphoric state or respiratory depression at low maintenance dosage rates. The effects can be weaker than methadone and heroin which are full opioid agonists. When this medication is taken as directed it is safe and effective in treating opioid use disorder. Long-acting buprenorphine formulations have been recently marketed for the Opioid Agonist Treatment (OAT) of opioid use disorder (OUD) associated with medical, social, and psychological support. Their duration of action ranges from one week up to 6 months.

Buprenorphine has been proven effective in treating opioid use disorder by:
*Diminishing the cravings and physical dependency on opioids.
*Lowers the risk of overdose.
*Lower risk for misuse

While buprenorphine is a great medication to handle the physical reason someone continues to use opioids, it is not meant to be a stand-alone treatment program and should be used in conjunction with traditional counseling, therapy, and programs specifically designed to handle the underlying issues that can hamper recovery.

Buprenorphine for opioid use disorder

 The patient must abstain from using opioids for at least 12-24 hours and be in the early stages of opioid withdrawal. Patients that still have opioids in their system and are not in the early stages of withdrawal, may find themselves experiencing acute withdrawal symptoms. Once a person has stopped using opioids or greatly reduced their opioid use, has not experienced cravings and is experiencing few or no side effects, the dose may be adjusted or tapered down. With buprenorphine being a long-acting agonist, once patients are feeling stable, it might be possible to adjust the dosage intervals from every day to every other day. The length of time someone can receive buprenorphine to help with OUD can vary from person to person. In some cases, treatment can be indefinite. To help mitigate the possibility of relapse, patients can continue ongoing treatment with or without medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD).

How to find a Buprenorphine treatment program

When looking for substance abuse treatment programs it is important to understand which type of program is better at handling certain types of addiction. This is especially true when seeking a buprenorphine treatment program. Medication-assisted treatment programs work best when coupled with a conventional treatment approach that incorporates counseling, therapy, and activities that are specifically designed to work in conjunction with SUD treatment. If you have any questions regarding your treatment options or insurance verification, we can help. Addiction specialists will work with you to find the solution that works best for you. Call now to find out more.

1-800-513-5423

Will insurance cover buprenorphine treatment programs?

When seeking treatment for opioid addiction, often the first question a person has is, “How will I pay for treatment?”. If you have private insurance, state-funded, Medicaid, or Medicare,  your treatment can be covered in part by these. Insurance can help you mitigate the costs while giving you options for treatment that you would not have without insurance. To find out what your insurance plan will pay you can give us a call and we will be able to verify your insurance and let you know what your out-of-pocket expenses would be.

Buprenorphine safety precautions

Due to buprenorphine’s opioid-like effects, there is a risk of misuse, especially for those who take the drug without having an opioid use disorder. Naloxone is added to buprenorphine to help decrease the likelihood of misuse, and diversion of the combination drug product.

Precautions for use when taking buprenorphine:

*Do not use other illicit drugs, alcohol, sedatives, or tranquilizers that slow breathing. Taking other drugs while using buprenorphine can lead to overdose or death.
*Do not take other medications without consulting a doctor first.
*Make sure that your doctor checks and monitors your liver function to make sure that buprenorphine is safe for you to use.
*Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant.
*Dispose of unused medications safely, FDA disposal of unused medications protocols 
*Do not share your medications with anyone even if they have the same symptoms or are suffering from the same condition.

If you are considering buprenorphine treatment you should be sure that you have a full understanding of the side effects before taking this medication. Your healthcare provider or pharmacist can help with this information. If you experience side effects you should report them by calling the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Serious and common side effects of using buprenorphine

Common side effects of buprenorphine include:

*Constipation, headache, nausea, and vomiting
*Dizziness
*Drowsiness and fatigue
*Sweating
*Dry mouth
*Tooth decay
*Muscle aches and cramps
*Inability to sleep
*Fever
*Blurred vision or dilated pupils
*Tremors
*Palpitations
*Disturbance in attention

Serious side effects can include:

*Respiratory distress
*Overdose
*Adrenal insufficiency
*Dependence
*Withdrawal
*Itching, pain, swelling, and nerve damage (implant)
*Pain at the injection site (injection)
*Neonatal abstinence syndrome (in newborns)

Is buprenorphine safe for pregnant or breastfeeding women?

Buprenorphine has been considered safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women who have been diagnosed with an OUD. Buprenorphine and methadone are considered the treatment of choice for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

How we can help

Addiction No More has been helping people overcome opioid use disorder (OUD) for over 25 years and has continued to offer advice, treatment options, and detoxification for those suffering from addiction and drug dependence. Our intake specialists are available 24/7 and will be able to verify your insurance online and give you treatment options, detox options, and medication-assisted treatment options so you can make an informed decision before starting buprenorphine treatment. This service is provided at no cost to you.

1-800-513-5423

Sources
Buprenorphine
Long-acting buprenorphine 
Facts about buprenorphine 
Erik Epp – Content Author