SUBOXONE / SUBUTEX / ZUBSOLV TREATMENT

Suboxone is a medication that combines both Buprenorphine , a semi-synthetic opioid partial agonist, and Naloxone, an opioid blocker or antagonist. It is used to treat opioid addiction to such  substances as: Heroin, Morphine, Vicodin, Percocet, Oxycontin, Dilaudid, RoxyCet, and others.  It can be remarkably effective for alleviating physical withdrawal symptoms, psychological effects and intense cravings often associated with opioid dependence and withdrawal.  It is important that the right candidate be prescribed Suboxone.  It will be most effective and safe when a patient’s degree of commitment  to sobriety is taken into consideration, along with an accurate assessment of his or her’s ability to remain organized in his or her life.     

Buprenorphine is a semi-synthetic opioid partial agonist. This means that, although Buprenorphine is an opioid, and thus can produce typical opioid effects and side effects such as euphoria and respiratory depression, its maximal effects are less than those of full agonists like heroin and methadone. At low doses Buprenorphine produces sufficient agonist effect to enable opioid-addicted individuals to discontinue the misuse of opioids without experiencing withdrawal symptoms. The agonist effects of Buprenorphine increase linearly with increasing doses of the drug until it reaches a plateau and no longer continues to increase with further increases in dosage. This is called the "ceiling effect." Thus, Buprenorphine carries a lower risk of abuse, addiction, and side effects compared to full opioid agonists. It is also safe to prescribe on an outpatient basis, where a patient can leave the doctor’s office with a prescription for Suboxone and return at a later date, sometimes 30 days later.  Methadone, an opioid dependence treatment which is highly dangerous to prescribe and can be easily overdosed on, requires daily visits to a clinic and keeps a patient “beholden” to an outpatient Methadone clinic every day.  Suboxone is a much safer, well tolerated, and “freer” alternative in terms of personal mobility and the ability to return weeks or months later to a physician’s office. Also, individuals do not feel intoxicated on Suboxone when prescribed properly, but report feeling normal and able to resume their lives as they had before becoming addicted. 

At The Recovery Centers, Dr. Russo is fully licensed and trained to prescribe Suboxone, as it requires a solid knowledge of opioid addiction and opioid medications in general.  The practice of prescribing Suboxone requires a specialized license not possessed by most physicians, including even other addiction psychiatrists. Dr. Russo is able to provide this service to you.

At The Recovery Centers, we have had a long standing history of experience and knowledge providing Suboxone treatment. We are able to conduct Suboxone Induction, which is the process of having a patient get on Suboxone safely and comfortably, Suboxone Maintenance treatment, where an individual is maintained on the medication for a period of time, and Suboxone Tapering and Discontinuation, the process whereby an individual is safely and comfortably taken off of Suboxone.  We are able to transfer individuals from Methadone to Suboxone, from Heroin or any other opioid to Suboxone as well.  An emphasis is placed on a smooth, seamless, comfortable and safe transition. 

When an individual comes for Suboxone treatment, we offer a full program addressing any other co morbid medical or psychiatric issues, alternative pain management strategies if needed, random urine testing, co occurring detoxification or tapering off of other substances as needed, psychotherapies and group therapies, and any other helpful recommendations to better facilitate a successful outcome for you.  Our staff is highly specialized and trained to conduct these therapies.  Opioid addiction has become a virtual epidemic in the United States, and around the world, sadly, yet there are treatment protocols and options available to individuals that can alleviate suffering and save lives. We offer those latest treatments and more, as we are here to help and make a real difference in the lives of our patients and their families. 

In addition to Suboxone, we also offer Subutex and Zubsolv. Sometimes these medications can be more appropriate to prescribe based on an individual’s clinical needs and prior treatment history.