A safe, secure environment for detoxification .

Induction – Beginning the Process of Detoxification

The induction phase is the medically monitored startup of buprenorphine therapy. Buprenorphine for induction therapy is administered when an opioid-dependent individual has abstained from using opioids for 12–24 hours and is in the early stages of opioid withdrawal. If the patient is not in the early stages of withdrawal, i.e., if he or she has other opioids in the bloodstream, then the buprenorphine dose could precipitate acute withdrawal.

Induction is typically initiated as observed therapy in the physician’s office and may be carried out using either Suboxone® or Subutex®, dependent upon the physician’s judgment.

Stabilization – Controlling the Cravings

The stabilization phase has begun when the patients have discontinued or greatly reduced the use of their drug of abuse, no longer has cravings, and is experiencing few or no side effects. The buprenorphine dose may need to be adjusted during the stabilization phase. Because of the long half-life of buprenorphine it is sometimes possible to switch patients to alternate-day dosing once stabilization has been achieved.

Taper – Getting Free

The taper phase is reached when the patient is doing well on a steady dose of buprenorphine (buprenex). Once the patient shows no sign of opiate withdrawal, the patient is the titrated (stepped-down) from the buprenorphine therapy, until they are drug-free.