Is Treatment With SUBOXONE Just Trading One Dependence for Another?
All opioids can cause physical dependence; however, the appropriate use of SUBOXONE under physician supervision allows an opioid-dependent patient to have the disease managed medically. Together, the physician and counselor help control the bio-psycho-social aspects of the patient’s illness. In addition, the physiological withdrawal symptoms experienced with SUBOXONE are milder than those of a full opioid agonist. This helps retain patients in treatment, including counseling. The decision to taper the SUBOXONE dose is determined by the therapeutic team (generally made up of the doctor and counselor) and the patient. Realistic goals for dosage reduction and medical withdrawal should be established.
