Buprenorphine Addiction

Some doctors prescribe Buprenorphine ® as a substitute drug in the treatment of opiate dependency or detoxification from heroin, oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, oxymorphone, fentanyl or other opioids. Several patients, like R.L., come to us from other rehab programs where they have become addicted to the substitute Suboxone or Subutex.

Due to its opioid addictive qualities   Buprenorphine dependency can creep up on patients gradually and powerfully. Because of this, the FDA treats Buprenorphine ® as a controlled narcotic substance, not to be administered for depression or psychological distress, nor in over-dosage even for ‘approved indications’.

Dependence may start with treatment of pain, injury or disease that requires prescription painkiller medication. It often ends with a debilitating dependency if taken for a long period of time. Like many, R.L. started taking prescription opiates for pain relief and then Buprenorphine ® for detoxification of the opiates, and ended up with Buprenorphine dependency.

Many individuals from factory workers to business executives who have developed an opiate dependency on Buprenorphine ® or other opiate-based drugs now seek a humane and effective detoxification. Opiate dependency affects people from all walks of life regardless of professional, economic, or social status. Over time, self-medication with Buprenorphine ® to avoid withdrawal may lead to excessive doses beyond the original prescription, and to physical dependency and/or addiction.

During withdrawal, patients with Buprenorphine dependency may experience symptoms similar to other opiates. Some of those symptoms may include but are not limited to:

• Aching limbs
• Cascading bodily reactions
• Cold sweats
• Depression
• Distress
• Mounting anxiety
• Nausea
• Unbearable pain
• Uncontrollable diarrhea
• Vomiting

Buprenorphine ® also presents dangerous contraindications when taken with sedatives or alcohol, and can promote possible fatal respiratory depression. During withdrawal, unchecked surges of adrenaline (norepinephrine) can squeeze the coronary and peripheral blood vessels, producing dangerously high blood pressure. It can produce dangerously elevated heart rate as well.

Fear of painful withdrawal at traditional detox centers prevents many addicted patients from seeking treatment.

According to medical director Dr. Clifford Bernstein, "Today, because of increased understanding of the illness of opiate dependence, patients no longer need to rely on painful treatments and ineffective maintenance methods. By medically inducing detoxification while the patient is under anesthesia we are able to reverse opiate dependency with the Waismann Method in a safe, humane and non-judgmental manner, so that patients can continue their lives opiate-free."

Read Dr. Clifford Bernstein’s comments in the article, "Misinterpreting Buprenorphine as Miracle Cure for Opiate Dependency."