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Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
Substance use disorders can happen to anyone. Recovery is possible.
If you or someone you know has an opioid use disorder, there are medications to help you recover.
There are three medications (Buprenorphine, Methadone, Naltrexone) approved by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) to treat opioid use disorder (OUD). These medications are safe to use for months, years, or even a lifetime.
Central District Health offers buprenorphine, an effective treatment for opioid use disorder.
* You should always seek the advice of a healthcare professional before starting, changing or discontinuing medications.
Buprenorphine
Buprenorphine is a partial opioid medication that binds to the same receptors in the brain as full opioids like fentanyl, heroin, or morphine, but buprenorphine doesn’t fully activate these receptors.
Buprenorphine has a higher affinity for these receptors, meaning it can displace or prevent full opioids from attaching to these receptors. For example, when both buprenorphine and fentanyl are present, buprenorphine is more likely to attach to these receptors than fentanyl. As a result, buprenorphine would displace any fentanyl molecules already attached to the receptors or block any new ones from attaching.
Unlike full opioids, Buprenorphine has a “ceiling effect”, and above a certain dose, the opioid effects level off and do not continue to increase, which can reduce the risk of respiratory depression and overdose.
Treatment with buprenorphine is usually done as part of a comprehensive program that includes counseling and support to help individuals overcome OUD and build a healthier life. Individuals who are taking a prescribed dose of buprenorphine that is right for them typically feel normal, can continue to work, and usually can operate machinery like driving a car.
In summary, Buprenorphine:
- Suppresses and reduces cravings for opioids
- Can be prescribed by any licensed healthcare practitioner (MD, DO, NP, PA)
- If taken as directed, it is safe and effective, and overdose is highly unlikely
- Is safe for pregnant or breastfeeding individuals
Our CDH providers have been trained and can prescribe buprenorphine. Contact our clinic to schedule a new patient appointment for MAT services: 208-327-7400
Carry Naloxone
Naloxone can reverse overdose and prevent death. You can purchase brand name naloxone, Narcan, over the counter at any retail pharmacy nationwide, be prescribed naloxone by a healthcare practitioner, or request naloxone free from Central District Health.
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