Opioid Addiction Doctors

Treatment for opioid addiction is most effective when medications are utilized, in combination with behavioral support, to reduce withdrawal, craving, and relapse. For craving and relapse prevention, either buprenorphine, methadone, or naltrexone can be prescribed.

Suboxone is a brand name combination medication that comes in a dissolving film or tablet containing two compounds - buprenorphine and naloxone. It is the most widely prescribed FDA-approved medication for the treatment of opioid addiction. Buprenorphine binds to opioid receptors in the brain and has both opioid agonist (or activating) and antagonist (blocking) effects. This means that it is able to reduce withdrawal and craving for opioids while also blocking the ability of abused opioids to cause a “high” if relapse occurs. Added naloxone, a full opioid antagonist, makes Suboxone less abusable.

When taken as prescribed by a board-certified specialist, the goal of Suboxone treatment is to ease opioid withdrawals and reduce opioid cravings. As the first-line recommended medication for moderate to severe opioid addiction, research definitively shows it helps people get off opioids and improves peoples’ lives when taken as prescribed. 

MAT (Medication for Addiction Treatment) promotes long-term recovery from opiate addiction by alleviating withdrawal, countering craving, and preventing relapse to opioid use. Research definitively shows that MAT is more effective than counseling alone. Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone) is safer than methadone and more convenient for most people. Plus, it keeps people engaged in their recovery: in one study, 75% of patients on buprenorphine were still in treatment at one year (as opposed to 0% of patients on placebo-pill).