Suboxone.com - Importance of Counseling

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

On December 8, 2006, Federal legislation was passed allowing physicians to treat up to 100 opioid-dependent patients with Suboxone at any given time—a significant increase from the previous limit of 30 patients.

There may be doctors in your area participating in a study to measure opioid dependence treatment outcomes. Patients who meet the eligibility requirements to participate in this study can receive up to $225 in compensation to complete surveys about their treatment.

NOTE: This study is only open to patients not currently under the care of a physician for opioid dependence and are seeking a treatment provider.

Please call 1-866-455-8876 between 9:00 AM to 7:30 PM EST to get more information.

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Importance of Counseling

Stopping the use of heroin or painkillers is an important step in the treatment of opioid dependence. However, it is only the first step—the next step is not starting again.¹ Reducing the risk of relapse is actually something that opioid-dependent patients learn how to do.¹

Helping patients to develop the skills to avoid the triggers and situations that might put them at risk is one of the key functions of counseling during treatment.¹

Counseling has other benefits, too, such as:

Helping patients substitute positive behaviors for substance use
Helping patients work toward realizing their treatment goals
Providing support, encouragement, and hope

Numerous studies have shown that long-term treatment success (ie, stopping any use of drugs of abuse) is more likely when patients regularly participate in counseling as part of their opioid dependence treatment.^1-4

Please see Optimizing Your Counseling for in-depth information about counseling and patient support.

References

1.	McCann M, Olbert J, Ling W. Buprenorphine treatment of opioid addiction: a counselor's guide [Danya Learning Center website]. Available at: http://www.danyalearningcenter.org/courseprofile.asp?cid=7. Accessed April 1, 2005.
2.	Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. Clinical Guidelines for the Use of Buprenorphine in the Treatment of Opioid Addiction. Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series 40. DHHS Publication No. (SMA) 04-3939. Rockville, Md: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration; 2004.
3.	Lavignasse P, Lowenstein W, Batel P, et al. Economic and social effects of high-dose buprenorphine substitution therapy. Ann Med Interne. 2002;153(suppl 3): 1S20-1S26.
4.	Kakko J, Svanborg KD, Kreek MJ, et al. 1-year retention and social function after buprenorphine-assisted relapse prevention treatment for heroin dependence in Sweden: a randomised, placebo-controlled trial. Lancet. 2003;361:662-668.

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SUBOXONE^®, SUBUTEX^®, and Here to Help^® are registered trademarks of Reckitt Benckiser Healthcare (UK) Ltd.

Important Safety Information

SUBOXONE^® (buprenorphine HCl/naloxone HCl dihydrate sublingual tablets) (CIII) is indicated for the treatment of opioid dependence.

It is extremely dangerous to self-administer non-prescribed benzodiazepines or other depressants while taking SUBOXONE. A serious overdose and death may occur if benzodiazepines, sedatives, tranquilizers, antidepressants, or alcohol are taken at the same time as SUBOXONE.

SUBOXONE has potential for abuse and produces dependence of the opioid type, with a milder withdrawal syndrome than full agonists.

Cytolytic hepatitis and hepatitis with jaundice have been observed in the addicted population receiving buprenorphine.

Allergic reactions including bronchospasm, angioneurotic edema, and anaphylactic shock have been reported in patients taking buprenorphine.

There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of SUBOXONE (a Category C medication) in pregnancy.

Caution should be exercised when driving cars or operating machinery.

Always store buprenorphine-containing medications safely and out of the reach and sight of children. Destroy any unused medication appropriately.

The most commonly reported adverse events with SUBOXONE include: headache (36%, placebo 22%), withdrawal syndrome (25%, placebo 37%), pain (22%, placebo 19%), insomnia (14%, placebo 16%), nausea (15%, placebo 11%), and sweating (14%, placebo 10%). Please see full Prescribing Information for a complete list.

To report an adverse event caused by taking SUBOXONE, please call 1-877-782-6966. You are also encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please see full Product Information