Buprenorphine is utilized in what is known as medication assisted treatment (MAT) for people in Troy who are dependent to opoids such as prescription pain killers or heroin. Unlike Methadone which is also used in medication assisted treatment but is usually only distributed in highly structured clinics, Buprenorphine can be prescribed and dispensed in doctor's offices which gives easier access to this type of treatment.
When Buprenorphine is used in recovery it can help someone who is going through the intense cravings and withdrawal symptoms associated with opiate withdrawal. Buprenorphine works to control and minimize these withdrawal symptoms so that they can easier detox and stay off drugs as well as not participate in typical drug seeking behaviors. When the medication assisted treatment concept was first conceived and perpetuated, it wasn't intended to be a stand-alone activity but rather only part of a multi-faceted approach that would typically incorporate actual rehabilitation for opioid dependency and addiction recovery. Buprenorphine use would only be one piece of a larger comprehensive recovery plan.
Buprenorphine can also produce some of the euphoric effects of other opiate narcotics so it can be abused. For this reason it is important for anyone deciding on medication assisted treatment as the recovery method they prefer to take, to also receive help from substance abuse counselors to incorporate other methods of substance abuse therapy & counseling and self-help actions into their plan of recovery to ensure they are not at risk of relapse.