Buprenorphine Down Under

Much thanks to a doc in Australia for recent comments: From one Doc to another (I’m in Australia). You may be interested (or possibly know) how we do things here. Basically, addicts can register at any Dr who’s completed a programme and is then authorised to prescribe what we call Schedule 100 drugs: mainly buprenorphine [...]

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Source: Suboxone Talk Zone: A Suboxone Blog
Questions and Answers about Opiate Addiction and Suboxone

This is an awesome article. I must make a couple points of my own in that I agree people will pay for what they value and value what they pay for, AND agree that even addicts need to be treated like PEOPLE eventually. Maintaining the expense of suboxone FOREVER is way too much and once the US catches on that most people will need it long term, and that patient has done well for an extended timeframe, they will NEED to reduce this expense. Is it really fair that I must pay out of pocket nearly $200 per month just to get a pill that I need in order to function? Granted the cost has gone down for me, but this is just ridiculous. That is a car payment. Another poster here recently noted that people in active addiction engage in all kinds of unhealthy behaviors in order to maintain those addictions. People shouldn't be forced into that same position in order to get treatment. Another point I have is that part of the reason I QUIT using narcotics was the expense of it. Now I am stuck with the expense of suboxone instead. Less expensive but financially damaging all the same. In fact the expense of it encourages short term use which is unhealthy for the patient. Health should be the number one concern.

I also agree that going in daily is ridiculous and unnecessary. Maybe Australia will catch on that this is cumbersome. I for one would love to be in a place where I could go quarterly. It has been 3 years of monthly visits for me and 3 years without relapse and perfect drug screens. I could also do without the pressue of being told to go to counseling as this is also an added expense. I have been through enough counseling. Going to counseling the length of time I am on suboxone also seems like overkill. NA meeting requirements....also overkill. Clearly, I am doing just fine after 3 years. Should I relapse or screw up somehow, require what you want, but it has been 3 years!

It would be nice if we could progress beyond the current state of buprenorphine maintenance and into something a little more livable and affordable for the average person.

Cherie
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Criticism may not be agreeable, but it is necessary. It fulfills the same function as pain in the human body. It calls attention to an unhealthy state of things.

- Winston Churchill