Dr. Sabates is licensed and certified to administer outpatient SUBOXONE Opioid Detoxification treatments .
Examples of Opiods successfully treated with SUBOXONE:
Oxycodone, (Percocet, Oxycontin) Hydrocodone, (Lorcet, Vicodin, Lortab) Hydromorphone (Dilaudid), Heroin, Codeine, Methadone, Morphine etc.
SUBOXONE and SUBUTEX are revolutionary new FDA approved medications that allow the addicted patient to taper and stop using altogether. They are tablets that dissolve under the tongue.
They have revolutionized the addiction field by allowing the patient to safely and painlessly self medicate in the privacy of doctors in the community versus Detox. Clinics.
1.
They strongly bind with
the Opioid receptors of the brain blocking opiates from entering.
The patient cannot get “high” when taking SUBOXONE. This effect can
last 24 hours.
2. Because
it has mild opiate-like effect it also blocks withdrawal symptoms.
These terrible withdrawal symptoms are what make it so difficult for
addicts to stop Opioids use.
3. This
last effect makes it an effective pain treatment to patients that
also have real pain problems. The injectable form named
BUPRENORPHINE is FDA approved for pain.
Drug addiction or
“Chemical Dependence” is defined as the compulsive need for drugs.
This person consistently seeks drugs despite the negative effects on
their health, families, finances and the risk of jail.
Addiction is not
to be confused with drug seeking behavior. This other is a patient
that somehow is not getting adequate relief of their pain from their
doctors.
The difference
between Opioid addiction and Opioid tolerance is that typically the
addict retreats from society and slowly becomes dysfunctional while
the tolerant person takes their medications in order to go do the
things they have to do. Like work etc. Withdrawal symptoms by
themselves are not a sign of addiction.
Occasionally,
some patients have both problems, pain and addiction. These patients
need special treatment and supervision. But with proper trust and
verification and help from family members, these unfortunate people
can also be successfully managed.
Counseling and
education is an important part of addiction treatment. The family
members and the patient must understand that addiction is a lifelong
illness that like Diabetes or Hypertension also needs medications.
SUBOXONE is not
“changing one addiction for another”.
Addiction is
characterized by being a chronic and relapsing illness.
It is
understandable that families get frustrated with relapses, but
unfortunately this is characteristic of the disease.
Doctor Sabates
normally sees patients on a weekly basis. They are counseled,
monitored, evaluated and slowly tapered. When the patient is on a
stable dose they will be monitored only once a month.
The minimum time
required for a successful Detox. is 90 days.
Brain imaging
studies suggest that the brain dopamine receptors (pleasure sensors)
take a year to return to normalcy. Opioids stimulate the release of
dopamine. Long term use depletes these pleasure sensors.
Psychological
counseling is strongly advised although not mandatory.
Dr. Sabates is
limited to only 100 patients for the Detox. program, it’s a first
come first serve basis. There may be a waiting list so please call
well in advance. Mail out informational material can be picked up or
sent free of charge to potential patients.
For more
information patients and families are encouraged to watch on the
Internet or order the DVD an excellent 12 part special called
“Addiction” on HBO.com.
