Buprenorphine is used in what is referred to as medication assisted treatment (MAT) for people in Weir 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 only allowed to be administered in strictly controlled clinics, Buprenorphine may be prescribed and administered by qualifying doctors which gives easier access to this type of opiate treatment.
When Buprenorphine is used in recovery it can help someone who is experiencing the intense cravings and withdrawal symptoms associated with opiate withdrawal. Buprenorphine helps to manage and minimize these withdrawal symptoms so that the person can focus and stay off drugs as well as not carry out typical drug seeking behaviors. When the medication assisted treatment idea was first formed and perpetuated, it wasn't meant to be a stand-alone activity but rather only part of a "whole-patient" treatment plan that would also involve actual rehabilitation for opioid dependency and addiction. Buprenorphine use would only be one piece of a bigger comprehensive plan.
Buprenorphine will also produce the euphoric "high" associated with other opiate narcotics so it is commonly abused. For this reason it is important for anyone thinking about medication assisted treatment as the treatment plan they want to take, to also enlist the help of addiction counselors to integrate other forms of substance abuse therapy & counseling and self-help programs into their plan of treatment to ensure they feel confident about recovery.