It usually takes about an hour for the dissolved Suboxone dose to work for the patient to experience withdrawal symptoms. They feel in control. Taking Suboxone, which is a partial opiate, is meant to replace a junkie's previous medical treatment, such as hydrocodone. This part of the transition to Suboxone treatment is called induction; typically lasts up to a week. Regular urine screening tests to check if the recovering addict is still using opiates are often conducted.

When Suboxone is the only drug in the patient's system, the doctor then prescribes the lowest possible dosage that will keep withdrawal symptoms, such as body aches, chills and vomiting, from occurring. At this point in Suboxone treatment, a recovering addict will either be slowly tapered off in doses or placed on a long-term maintenance plan. Suboxone maintenance treatment involves the lowest possible dose to stop withdrawal symptoms; it can be prescribed for a couple of months or years. Maintenance drug therapy should be monitored by a physician to ensure its effectiveness and prevent dependence on Suboxone. Since Suboxone is only a partial opiate, addiction problems with it are rare.

Suboxone as a maintenance drug is often used as part of an addiction treatment program that includes either inpatient or outpatient counselling. Hospital counselling can be conducted in a group situation in addition to individual sessions; recovering employees live in a rehabilitation centre for several weeks or more. Outpatient drug treatment counselling can be either individual or group focused. Suboxone treatment combined with counselling is often considered to be one of the most successful tools used for long-term recovery from opiate abuse.

CompServ Health

Louisville, KY

USA