Buprenorphine / Suboxone® Treatment

Addiction Disorders Treatment | Buprenorphine Treatment | Suboxone Treatment | Long Island Opioid dependence is a serious condition that is widespread in our community. It involves abuse of prescription pain killers or heroin. Frequently, patients start using prescription pain killers following surgery or child birth, or for painful conditions, like sciatica or migraine headaches. Due to addictive properties of prescription pain killers, many patients progress from using them for pain to using them to create a sensation of wellbeing and tranquility. Misuse of prescription pain killers can easily progress to abuse and dependence.

Some individuals in our community, many of them young adults from good homes, become exposed to heroin through occasional nasal use at parties. At first, it may appear socially acceptable and safe, but often progresses to dependence, and requires treatment.

It is important for patients dependent on opioids to receive proper treatment for their condition in order to regain purpose and function in their lives, as well as to reduce the risk of serious health-related issues. While there are many options available for treating opioid dependence, many involve a lengthy stay at a rehabilitation facility or other long-term programs. Motivated individuals with good social support in the community can be treated discretely at South Shore Neuropsychiatric Center on an outpatient basis.

If you are suffering from an opioid addiction but do not want to undergo in-patient rehabilitation or other intense forms of treatment, there may be an effective solution available for you in the form of Suboxone®, an FDA-approved medication for opioid dependence.

Dr. Fruitman combines Suboxone (Buprenorphine), a prescription medication used to treat the physical aspects of opioid dependence, with counseling sessions and treatment of the underlying Depression/Anxiety Disorders. Sometimes, patients are prescribed Suboxone (Buprenorphine) along with other medications.

How Suboxone Works

The main ingredient in Suboxone, Buprenorphine, is an opioid itself, which stimulates a pleasure response that is much less intense than that achieved through substance use. This helps to suppress the unpleasant symptoms of withdrawal and reduce the constant cravings for opioids in a safe, controlled manner, allowing patients to feel level-headed while on medication. Patients are expected to retain their ability to function while taking Suboxone (Buprenorphine).

Buprenorphine has been used to treat opioid dependence in Europe since the mid-90s, and has been available in the US as Suboxone since 2003. While this medication is proven helpful, it is important for patients to realize that Suboxone (Buprenorphine) only treats the physical aspects of opioid dependence. Substance abuse counseling and treatment of underlying Depression/Anxiety helps achieve the optimal results of recovery and sustained sobriety.

Treatment with Suboxone

Dr. Fruitman will determine whether or not treatment with Buprenorphine is appropriate for you after a thorough evaluation of your condition, mental health history and overall health. Buprenorphine is first administered when an opioid-dependent person has abstained from using opioids for 12-24 hours and is beginning to experience symptoms of withdrawal. The length of treatment with Suboxone (Buprenorphine) can vary depending on each patient's individual condition. While some patients may benefit from short-term treatment, others may need more time to overcome all psychological and behavioral aspects of their dependence. Dr. Fruitman will develop a customized treatment plan for each individual patient that takes into account their condition history and relapse risk, among other factors. Following Dr. Fruitman's treatment plan helps to improve the effectiveness of your treatment.

To learn more about the benefits of Suboxone, please visit http://www.suboxone.com

To start your outpatient treatment at South Shore Neuropsychiatric Center, please call us for an appointment.