Q: Who can be treated at Healing Corner?
A: Healing Corner provides medication and counseling to an individual addicted to an opiate, such as OxyContin, heroin or Vicodin.
To be admitted to a clinic for treatment, the following criterion applies:
Q: What is Buprenorphine?
A: Buprenorphine is an approved medication for treatment of opioid addiction in outpatient office settings. Buprenorphine is known as other names such as Subtext, Suboxone, Bunavail, Zubsolv, and the newest one, Probuphine, which is an implant form of the medication.
While it is still an opioid, Buprenorphine does not act quite the same as an opioid like Morphine Heroin, Oxycodone, or Fentanyl. Buprenorphine, in absence of other opioids, still acts like an opioid but does not cause a high. It just make all opioid withdrawal symptoms go away and makes you physically normal. It also blocks the high feeling of other opioids if one uses them while on Buprenorphine.
Q: How long should I stay on Buprenorphine?
A: Because treatment for addiction is individualized, the decisions to end Buprenorphine treatment are unique to you. Most individuals experience uncertainty or fear at the thought of tapering off Buprenorphine. Many believe “if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it.” Talk with your counselor and clinic medical personnel when you decide you would like to stop taking Buprenorphine. A medically supervised taper will help lessen withdrawal symptoms.
Q: Is it harder to kick Buprenorphine than it is to kick a dope habit?
A: Stopping Buprenorphine use is different from kicking a heroin habit. Some people find it harder because the withdrawal lasts longer. Others say that although it lasts longer, it is milder than heroin withdrawal.
Q: Will Buprenorphine make me high?
A: If you’re looking for a high, you’ll be disappointed with Buprenorphine. When you first start treatment, you may feel lightheaded or sleepy for a few days, but you will quickly develop a tolerance to these effects. Expect to feel “normal” when you’re on Buprenorphine.
Q: Is Buprenorphine more addicting than heroin?
A: Buprenorphine is not more addicting than heroin. There are two parts to drug dependence: the physical and the psychological. Physically, there really isn’t a lot in it. If you stop (and stay off) heroin, the withdrawals will probably be more severe but shorter by several days than if you stop Buprenorphine. Psychologically (because it doesn’t give a high like that of heroin), people tend not to crave Buprenorphine as much as they crave heroin.
Q: What is I miss a dose? Will I feel withdrawal symptoms?
A: If you miss a dose, DO NOT take the next day’s dose or supplement with heroin or other opiates. Buprenorphine areas stored in body tissues. This allows for a slow release, keeping blood levels of medication steady between doses. After your initial week of daily dosing, your body should be in a steady state, which means that a relatively constant blood level of Buprenorphine should remain present in the body. This means that you should not experience withdrawal symptoms for missing one dose.
Q: What if I am taking Buprenorphine and I am going to have surgery?
A: Evidence-based medicine shows that patients do not need to stop taking their Buprenorphine in anticipation of surgery or even the day of and after surgery. Patients should continue with their dose of Buprenorphine and their pain should be treated by adding other pain medications on top. It is always a good idea to have your surgeon contact us so we can help them manage your pain during and after surgery.
Q: What is Vivitrol?
A: Vivitrol is the injectable form of Naltraxone. Naltraxone is the longer acting form of Narcan which reverses the effects of opioids. While on a monthly Vivitrol shot you can’t get high from opioids due to blocking effects of Vivitrol. However, the potential for overdose is greatest when you try to beat the shot by using larger amounts of opioids and/or if you were to stop getting your shot and start using.
Q: Can Vivitrol harm your liver?
A: Vivitrol can harm your liver if not taken correctly, and people with liver disease or dysfunction should not take Vivitrol.
Q: Should I tell my doctor or dentist if I am on Buprenorphine or Vivitrol?
A: Yes! Certain medications react in a negative way with Buprenorphine or Vivitrol and can make you very sick. If your doctor or dentist is informed, they can make sure that any medications they prescribe will not harm you.
Q: Why do I have to attend counseling sessions if I am receiving medicine-assisted treatment?
A: Taking medication such as Buprenorphine or Vivitrol for addiction will stop the physical cravings and withdrawal symptoms. However, the medication is only a small part of treatment. For you to maintain sobriety and move into recovery, you need to learn new ways of coping, address issues that caused you to use in the first place and learn new ways of living without using drugs.