Bupenorphine is also known as Suboxone and is used to assist in the treatment of clients with opiate dependence and has been found to be quite successful.

First Appointment = INTAKE

You will be given a comprehensive substance dependence and medical assessment and a mental wellness check up. The pros and cons of the medication Suboxone (a.k.a. Buprenorphine) will be presented. You will also be given a pregnancy test if you are female

This assessment will also determine the level of treatment you must be involved in. It is our policy that you must be involved in one of our substance abuse treatment programs in order to receive Suboxone treatment. Addiction is a bio-psycho-social condition. Suboxone only treats the biological (medical) part of your addiction; treatment addresses the psychological and social parts of the addiction. (Suboxone helps you stop, treatment helps you stay stopped).

Second Appointment = INDUCTION

This is the day you will be switched from your current opiates (i.e. heroin, prescription pain pills,methadone) to Suboxone. You have to be in mild to moderate withdrawal. We cannot start you on Suboxone unless you are in withdrawal. The goal of this day is to safely stop opiate withdrawal symptoms and minimize side effects.

1. You will come to the clinic at your scheduled appointment time.

2. You will quickly be taken in to see the doctor who will assess your level of withdrawal.

3. You will be given your first dose of Suboxone as soon as possible. Usually you will start to feel better in 20 minutes.

4. Your response to the initial dose will be monitored. You may be given additional medicine, if necessary, to reduce your withdrawal symptoms.

5. You will then go home.

Third Appointment = START OF MAINTENANCE

Congratulations! You are now on maintenance. You will be attending treatment regularly as described in the intake and in your treatment plan. From time to time, you will also be seeing our doctor for medication management and follow-up. If you wish to stop being on Suboxone - you need to address this with the doctor - Suboxone is not for occassional use and should only be discontinued under the care and direction of a doctor.