Boston Counseling Therapy

Boston Opioid Dependence Treatment: Suboxone Here to Help Program

SUBOXONE (buprenorphine HCl/naloxone HCl dihydrate), a treatment for opioid dependance, is available to persons living in Cambridge and the Greater Boston Area.

One notable thing about using SUBOXONE is the “Here to Help” treatment support program that is offered to persons on the medication for opioid dependance. The Here to Help Program gives patients exclusive access to a personal “Care Coach” as well as a number of online resources and tools.  (See www.HereToHelpProgram.com)

Thrive Boston Counseling has joined the Here to Help referral network, to support patients overcoming opioid dependance.

ABOUT OPIOID DEPENDENCY

Opioid dependency is a medical diagnosis characterized by an individual’s inability to stop using opioids even when objectively in his or her best interest to do so.  The DSM-IV-TR clinical guidelines for a definite diagnosis of “dependence” require that three or more of the following six characteristic features be experienced or exhibited:

• 1. A strong desire or sense of compulsion to take the drug;
• 2. Difficulties in controlling drug-taking behaviour in terms of its onset, termination, or levels of use;
• 3. A physiological withdrawal state when drug use is stopped or reduced, as evidenced by: the characteristic withdrawal syndrome for the substance; or use of the same (or a closely related) substance with the intention of relieving or avoiding withdrawal symptoms;
• 4. Evidence of tolerance, such that increased doses of the drug are required in order to achieve effects originally produced by lower doses;
• 5. Progressive neglect of alternative pleasures or interests because of drug use, increased amount of time necessary to obtain or take the drug or to recover from its effects;
• 6. Persisting with drug use despite clear evidence of overtly harmful consequences, such as harm to the liver, depressive mood states or impairment of cognitive functioning.

Long-term treatment with buprenorphine/naloxone in primary care: results at 2-5 years.

http://www.druglib.com/abstract/fi/fiellin-da_am-j-addict_20080300.html

Extended vs short-term buprenorphine-naloxone for treatment of opioid-addicted youth: a randomized trial.

http://www.druglib.com/abstract/wo/woody-ge_jama_20081105.html

Buprenorphine/naloxone treatment in primary care is associated with decreased human immunodeficiency virus risk behaviors.

http://www.druglib.com/abstract/su/sullivan-le_j-subst-abuse-treat_20080700.html

Important Safety Information (ISI)

SUBOXONE^® (buprenorphine HCl/naloxone HCl dihydrate sublingual tablets) (CIII) is indicated for the treatment of opioid dependence.

It is extremely dangerous to take benzodiazepines or other depressants while taking SUBOXONE. A serious overdose and death may occur if benzodiazepines, sedatives, tranquilizers, antidepressants, or alcohol are taken at the same time as SUBOXONE.

SUBOXONE has potential for abuse and produces dependence of the opioid type, with a milder withdrawal syndrome than full agonists.

Cytolytic hepatitis and hepatitis with jaundice have been observed in the addicted population receiving buprenorphine.

Allergic reactions including bronchospasm, angioneurotic edema, and anaphylactic shock have been reported in patients taking buprenorphine.

There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of SUBOXONE (a Category C medication) in pregnancy.

Caution should be exercised when driving cars or operating machinery.

Always store buprenorphine-containing medications safely and out of the reach and sight of children. Destroy any unused medication appropriately.

The most commonly reported adverse events with SUBOXONE include: headache (36%, placebo 22%), withdrawal syndrome (25%, placebo 37%), pain (22%, placebo 19%), insomnia (14%, placebo 16%), nausea (15%, placebo 11%), and constipation (12%, placebo 3%). Please see full Prescribing Information for a complete list.

To report an adverse event caused by taking SUBOXONE, please call 1-877-782-6966. You are also encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please see full US Prescribing Information for SUBOXONE.

NOTE FROM THRIVE: This Post is not a paid advertisement, nor is it a recommendation that Suboxone is the right treatment for Opioid Dependency. This post is simply to provide basic information about Opiates, Opioid Dependency Treatment, and increase awareness of the Suboxone Here to Help program.

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