Buprenorphine is utilized in what is known as medication assisted treatment (MAT) for people in Ojibwa who are dependent to opoids such as prescription pain killers or heroin. Dissimilar to Methadone which is also used in medication assisted treatment but is usually only distributed in strictly controlled clinics, Buprenorphine can be prescribed and administered in doctor's offices which supplies easier access to this type of treatment.
When Buprenorphine is used in treatment it can help individuals who are experiencing the intense cravings and withdrawal symptoms brought on by opiate withdrawal. Buprenorphine works to control and minimize these withdrawal symptoms so that the individual can focus and stay off drugs and not carry out harmful drug seeking behaviors. When the medication assisted treatment idea was first formed and perpetuated, it wasn't intended to be a stand-alone activity but rather only part of a "whole-patient" approach that would ideally incorporate actual rehabilitation for substance abuse and addiction. Buprenorphine use would only be one part of a larger all-encompassing plan.
Buprenorphine will also bring about the euphoric "high" associated with other opiate narcotics so it is commonly abused. This is another reason it is crucial for anyone deciding on medication assisted treatment as the treatment method they prefer to take, to also receive help from substance abuse counselors to incorporate other types of substance abuse therapy & counseling and self-help actions into their plan of treatment so that they are not at risk of relapse.
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