Buprenorphine is used in a type of treatment referred to as medication assisted treatment (MAT) for individuals in Rye who are dependent to opoids such as heroin or prescription pain killers. Not like Methadone which is also used in medication assisted treatment but is only allowed to be distributed in strictly controlled clinics, Buprenorphine may be prescribed and dispensed by qualifying doctors which provides easier access to this type of treatment.
When Buprenorphine is utilized in recovery it can help someone who is experiencing the intense withdrawal symptoms and cravings associated with opiate withdrawal. Buprenorphine helps to manage and reduce these withdrawal symptoms so that they can easier detox and stay off drugs and not carry out harmful drug seeking behaviors. When the medication assisted treatment idea was first envisioned and implemented, it wasn't intended to be a stand-alone activity but rather only part of a multi-faceted treatment plan that would ideally involve actual rehabilitation for opioid dependency and addiction. Buprenorphine use would only be one component of a larger comprehensive recovery plan.
Buprenorphine might also produce some of the euphoric effects of other opiate narcotics so it can be abused. This is another reason it is important for anyone thinking about medication assisted treatment as the recovery route they prefer to take, to also receive help from professional addiction counselors to integrate other forms of substance abuse therapy & counseling and life repair actions into their course of treatment to ensure they feel confident about recovery.