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Champion Healthcare Patient Services

Lebanon, TN Addiction Treatment

Research has shown Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) programs to be the most effective at tackling the epidemic problem of opioid addiction. Here at Champion Integrative Healthcare in Lebanon, TN, we offer access to physicians certified in addiction treatment/medicine, as well as in-house counseling services. We are committed to helping you succeed in overcoming this challenge and leading a healthier, happier life. To learn more about how MAT programs work, check out this video for a brief, understandable description.

Buprenorphine

Buprenorphine is used in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) to treat Opioid Use Disorder (OUD).

Approved for clinical use in October 2002 by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), medications such as buprenorphine, in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies, provide a whole-patient approach to the treatment of opioid dependency. When taken as prescribed, buprenorphine is safe and effective.

Unlike methadone treatment, which must be performed in a highly structured clinic, buprenorphine is the first medication to treat opioid dependency that is permitted to be prescribed or dispensed in physician offices, significantly increasing treatment access. Under the Drug Addiction Treatment Act of 2000 (DATA 2000), qualified U.S. physicians, and mid-level practitioners with an X-license can offer buprenorphine for opioid dependency in various settings, including in an office (physicians only), community hospital, health department, or correctional facility (mid-level practitioners). Learn more about SAMHSA’s buprenorphine waiver management.

SAMHSA-certified opioid treatment programs (OTPs) also are allowed to offer buprenorphine, but only are permitted to dispense treatment. Learn more about certification of OTPs.

As with all medications used in MAT, buprenorphine is prescribed as part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes counseling and participation in social support programs.

Buprenorphine offers several benefits to those with opioid dependency and to others for whom treatment in a methadone clinic is not preferred or is less convenient. The FDA has approved the following buprenorphine products:

  • Bunavail (buprenorphine and naloxone) buccal film
  • Suboxone (buprenorphine and naloxone) film
  • Zubsolv (buprenorphine and naloxone) sublingual tablets
  • Buprenorphine-containing transmucosal products for opioid dependency

Refer to the product websites for a complete listing of drug interactions, warnings, and precautions.

Buprenorphine has unique pharmacological properties that help:

  • Lower the potential for misuse
  • Diminish the effects of physical dependency to opioids, such as withdrawal symptoms and cravings
  • Increase safety in cases of overdose
    Buprenorphine is an opioid partial agonist. This means that, like opioids, it produces effects such as euphoria or respiratory depression at low to moderate doses. With buprenorphine, however, these effects are weaker than full opioid agonists such as heroin and methadone.

Buprenorphine’s opioid effects increase with each dose until at moderate doses they level off, even with further dose increases. This “ceiling effect” lowers the risk of misuse, dependency, and side effects. Also, because of buprenorphine’s long-acting agent, many patients may not have to take it every day.

Buprenorphine’s side effects are similar to those of opioids and can include:

  • Nausea, vomiting, and constipation
  • Muscle aches and cramps
  • Cravings
  • Inability to sleep
  • Distress and irritability
  • Fever

Because of buprenorphine’s opioid effects, it can be misused, particularly by people who do not have an opioid dependency. Naloxone is added to buprenorphine to decrease the likelihood of diversion and misuse of the combination drug product. When buprenorphine/naloxone is taken as a sublingual tablet, buprenorphine’s opioid effects dominate and mitigates opioid withdrawals. If the sublingual tablets are crushed and injected, the naloxone effect dominates and can block the euphoric effect and potentially bring on opioid withdrawal symptoms.

People should use the following precautions when taking buprenorphine:

  • Do not take other medications without first consulting your doctor.
  • Do not use illegal drugs, drink alcohol, or take sedatives, tranquilizers, or other drugs that slow breathing. Mixing large amounts of other medications with buprenorphine can lead to overdose or death.
  • Do ensure that a physician monitors any liver-related health issues that you may have.

Buprenorphine may be prescribed to women who are pregnant and have an opioid use disorder. Buprenorphine and methadone are considered the treatments of choice for OUD in pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Review SAMHSA’s Federal Guidelines for Opioid Treatment Programs – 2015 for more information about the use of buprenorphine in pregnancy. In the United States, methadone remains the current standard of care for the use of MAT with pregnant women who have opioid dependency.

The ideal candidates for opioid dependency treatment with buprenorphine:

  • Have been objectively diagnosed with an opioid dependency
  • Are willing to follow safety precautions for the treatment
  • Have been cleared of any health conflicts with using buprenorphine
  • Have reviewed other treatment options before agreeing to buprenorphine treatment

Before buprenorphine treatment begins, policies and procedures should be in place to guarantee patient privacy and the confidentiality of personally identifiable health information. Under the Confidentiality Regulation, 42 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 2, information relating to substance use and alcohol treatment must be handled with a higher degree of confidentiality than other medical information.

Buprenorphine treatment happens in three phases:

  1. The Induction Phase is the medically monitored startup of buprenorphine treatment performed in a qualified physician’s office or certified OTP using approved buprenorphine products. The medication is administered when a person with an opioid dependency has abstained from using opioids for 12 to 24 hours and is in the early stages of opioid withdrawal. It is important to note that buprenorphine can bring on acute withdrawal for patents who are not in the early stages of withdrawal and who have other opioids in their bloodstream.
  2. The Stabilization Phase begins after a patient has discontinued or greatly reduced their misuse of the problem drug, no longer has cravings, and experiences few, if any, side effects. The buprenorphine dose may need to be adjusted during this phase. Because of the long-acting agent of buprenorphine, once patients have been stabilized, they can sometimes switch to alternate-day dosing instead of dosing every day.
  3. The Maintenance Phase occurs when a patient is doing well on a steady dose of buprenorphine. The length of time of the maintenance phase is tailored to each patient and could be indefinite. People can engage in further treatment—with or without MAT—to prevent a possible relapse.

Treatment of opioid dependency with buprenorphine is most effective in combination with counseling services, which can include different forms of behavioral therapy and self-help programs.

Patients can possibly switch from methadone to buprenorphine treatment, but because the two medications are so different, patients may not always be satisfied with the results. Studies indicate that buprenorphine is equally as effective as moderate doses of methadone. However, because buprenorphine is unlikely to be as effective as more optimal-dose methadone, it may not be the treatment of choice for patients with high levels of physical dependency.

A number of factors affect whether buprenorphine is a good choice for someone who is currently receiving methadone. Patients receiving buprenorphine can possibly be switched to methadone. Patients interested in learning more about switching their treatment should discuss this with their doctor. Learn more about methadone.

Buprenorphine as an opioid use disorder treatment is carefully regulated. Qualified physicians are required to acquire and maintain certifications to legally dispense or prescribe opioid dependency medications. SAMHSA’s Division of Pharmacologic Therapies (DPT) makes available required buprenorphine training for physicians, webinars, workshops, and summits, and publications and research.

Source: samhsa.gov

Women’s Health

The WHNP specializes in obstetrics and gynecology but also engages in well-woman care, health education, prenatal care, and contraceptive counseling as well as providing care for episodic or chronic illnesses and sexually transmitted diseases.

Telehealth
Psychiatry

Our Lebanon Psychiatrists specialize in diagnosing and treating mental and emotional disorders related to mood, behavior, and cognition. Thorough evaluations are performed and a comprehensive plan of care established to help you to be the best person you can be. 

If you’re seeking effective solutions for managing ADHD, our dedicated team also offers expert online ADHD treatment in Lebanon, TN, tailored to your unique needs and challenges.

Health and Wellness Coaching in Lebanon, TN

A Vanderbilt-trained Health and Wellness Coach can help you learn to set small, attainable goals to address any of the 9 areas outlined on the Wheel of Health. All of these areas combine to create who you are. Not just about food and exercise, we can delve into areas like mind-body connection, sleep and rest, spirit and soul, and environment. This partnership is a collaboration with you taking charge and learning all the skills necessary for sustainable behavior change. This journey starts wherever you decide, with no judgement or pressure to do more than you are ready for. Are you ready to take a spin on the wheel?

Drug testing

In-house drug testing is performed by an experienced lab technician as a part of MAT program requirements or independent testing.