| Opioid Addiction | | Medication Assisted Treatment for Heroin Addiction |
Medication assisted treatment for opioid addiction. |
There are two medications available to manage and treat opioid addiction, Buprenorphine and Naltrexone. I use only the combination Buprenorphine and Naltrexone, as it has a great success rate.
The preferred medication is Buprenorphine with Naltrexone. It is available as tablets and films; as a generic preparation, and under the brand names Suboxone, Zubsolv, and Bunavail.
How do these medications work?
Buprenorphine works by attaching to opioid receptors and acting like an opioid. It is a very long acting drug and a single daily dose is enough to prevent withdrawal symptoms for 24 hours.
Naltrexone also attaches to opioid receptors, but does not act like an opioid it blocks the opioid receptor. Naltrexone is also a very long acting drug and is taken as a single daily dose.
Buprenorphine prevents opioid withdrawal, and is used to treat opioid withdrawal, that is why it is the preferred drug. However, it is an opioid, and has some of the same disadvantages as other opioids. It is a controlled substance, only certain providers are allowed to prescribe it. It is now reasonably priced and needs to be gradually tapered to prevent withdrawal.
Naltrexone does not prevent opioid withdrawal and is not used to treat opioid withdrawal. However, once withdrawal has been adequately treated, Naltrexone can be used to reduce cravings, and because it blocks other opioids, it removes the incentive to use them.
Naltrexone is not an opioid, it is not a controlled substance, it is inexpensive, does not cause sedation, and is also approved to treat alcohol addiction.
Do I have to go to a rehab or specialized clinics to be treated?
No.
A more convenient and less expensive option is to receive Suboxone prescriptions from a doctor in your community. You will have to look for a doctor who has received the necessary training and a waiver certificate from the DEA to prescribe Buprenorphine containing products for the treatment of addiction.
Dr. Seldes is currently certified to treat 275 patients, the maximum allowed.
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| | Buprenorphine |
Marketed as Suboxone | Zubsolv | Bunavail. |
Buprenorphine is an opioid agonist, that is, it acts like other opioids. Once taken it reaches the brain and attaches to opioid receptors and prevents withdrawal symptoms and cravings. When patient are assured that they will not have any withdrawal symptoms, it relieves their anxiety, and they do not have any need to search for and obtain opioid drugs illegally.
Buprenorphine was initially approved by FDA for this purpose in 2002. It is a long acting medication, and a single daily dose is adequate to prevent opioid withdrawal symptoms.
By preventing withdrawal symptoms, it allows patients to continue to work, or attend school. If taken as prescribed it does not cause any sedation, and patients can drive and work with machinery.
It is prescribed by a licensed medical provider, and dispensed by pharmacies. It is suitable for outpatient use and eliminates the need for expensive inpatient rehab. It is a better alternative to daily visits to Methadone clinics.
By preventing the discomfort of withdrawal symptoms, patients can work on changing their drug using behavior. This can be done with the help of a counselor, or a behavioral therapist. Other alternatives are group counseling, and recovery workshops.
Once the drug cravings are in control and the patient has extinguished the drug seeking behavior, then the patient can taper the dose, at their own pace, and come off the medication.
This is a very effective and safe method; the patient remains in control of the process, and may take anywhere from a few months to several years.
Taking Buprenorphine does not violate Drug Court Probation if prescribed by a DEA approved provider, through a legitimate medical treatment program.
These programs are available through a doctor in your community. There are two components to the treatment, medical that is provided by a medical doctor, and counseling that is provided by an addiction counselor or behavioral therapist.
Each medical provider implements the program based on current recommendations, their own experience, and the resources they have. Patients are usually seen once a week, bi-weekly, or once a month. Some providers include counseling in the services provided, but most allow patients to engage their own counselors.
Typically patients receive 8mg to 16mg/day at the beginning of therapy (one to two tablets or films) and then taper to a dose of 8mg/day or less as maintenance. Well motivated and disciplined patients can complete the program within months, but most patients take a year or longer. No matter how long it takes patients save money, their careers, and their marriage their life. Every person is different and unique. Each doctor will work with you to help in your opioid addiction free life.
You do not need to purchase the entire prescription we can supply the induction dose and then send you to a pharmacy or you can you purchase medications from the clinic. Your insurance may also cover the cost of the medication.
Buprenorphine is cheaper than the street drugs you use, it is available as a fast acting tablet and film, that you can take in the privacy of your home without having to go to rehab without disrupting your work or school and it is available from a doctor’s office in your community.
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| | A word about Methadone.... | Methadone is not used to treat opioid addiction. Methadone is offered through government contracted Methadone treatment programs or Methadone maintenance programs.
This is an effort by the government to offer opioids to patients who are addicted to opioids, so that they do not have to indulge in criminal activity to obtain them. This is only available in major cities. Some Methadone programs now offer Suboxone.
In the USA, medical providers in private practice are prohibited from prescribing Methadone for opioid dependence or addiction.
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| | This page was last updated on September 29, 2020 |
| | Mark A. Seldes, MD | | Dr. Seldes is a board-certified family physician, He is experienced with OWCP medical reports and performing Impairment Rating examinations. Dr. Seldes and his qualified staff, assist in obtaining compensation and medical treatment after a work-related injury. | | We perform both In-person examinations and Telehealth visits for our Florida residents who are already established patients. depending on the patient's needs. |
Contact Us Today! | | Phone: 813-328-4120, We are Open Monday-Friday, From 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM EST. (We are Currently Accepting New Patients) |
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Phone: (813)-328-4120 Fax: (813)-328-4003 Email: emergencemat2021@gmail.com
5471 West Waters Avenue, Unit 300, Tampa, FL 33634