Addiction Psychiatry

Buprenorphine is a medication used for opioid addiction and is taken sublingually. Buprenorphine binds to opiate receptors and partially activates them, preventing withdrawal symptoms and helping with cravings. It is taken under the tongue as a tablet or a film. Patients should not use opiates while on this medication, as they will not be effective. The person taking buprenorphine feels normal, not high.

For the initial phase of buprenorphine treatment, the induction phase, patients are seen for three consecutive appointments by the addictions psychiatrist. Persons accepted are usually started on buprenorphine during the first appointment. During those appointments, adjustments to the medication might be made to find a stable dose.

Unlike methadone, those taking buprenorphine are seen weekly, biweekly or monthly and are given a written prescription to fill at the patient’s regular pharmacy. Buprenorphine maintenance appointments are similar to doctor or medication management appointments.

We recommend counseling, community support groups, and individual or group therapies to learn strategies on managing emotions and behaviors distorted by addiction.

Methadone is a medication used for the treatment of opiate addiction. Its unique properties make it helpful in reducing drug cravings, avoiding withdrawal symptoms and blocking the “high” of continued opiate abuse.

Candidates are first assessed to make sure this is the most appropriate level of care to meet their needs. An intake session with a counselor is followed with a medical examination by a physician. Persons accepted in the clinic are usually started on methadone that same day. Patients are required to attend the clinic daily to receive their methadone dose, with adjustments made to reach a stable, therapeutic level. A full biopsychosocial assessment is completed on all patients and is then used to develop an individualized treatment plan. Patients participate in regular counseling sessions, work on treatment plan assignments and begin the journey of recovery. Many patients become eligible for take-home doses over time, requiring fewer visits to the clinic. The goal is to resume a productive and healthy life without abuse of illicit or nonprescribed substances.

Patients on the methadone track have regular, individual counseling sessions. Group counseling sessions are also available daily except for Sunday and Monday.

Sublocade® (buprenorphine extended-release) is an injectable medication used to treat moderate to severe opioid use disorder. It is found to be effective in preventing cravings and withdrawal symptoms while ending opioid-use. This treatment is recommended for people who are stabilized on a steady maintenance dose of buprenorphine for 7 days. Our care team is one of the few in Kansas City to offer it.

This state-of-the-art treatment will help patients improve their quality of life by decreasing their fear of judgment from those around them and freeing them from having to take medication multiple times a day.

Some people may be familiar with taking buprenorphine as a daily tab or film placed under the tongue. The injection works as effectively but is taken only once a month. It is injected under the skin into the abdominal area. The medication is in a liquid form during injection and then changes into a solid form called a “depot” that continuously releases the medication during the month.

In order to offer these injections, The University of Kansas Health System is certified in the SUBLOCADE® Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) program. In addition to being available to insured patients, Sublocade® is available to underinsured and uninsured individuals through a State Opioid Response grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Vivitrol® (intramuscular naltrexone) is an injectable form of medication-assisted treatment. Administered once a month, it binds to receptors, blocking receipt of the addictive opioid. This treatment helps with cravings and may be initiated when a patient has been abstinent from opioids for at least 10 days.

The health system accepts Vivitrol patients with either alcohol or opioid dependence. Vivitrol is usually effective in the body from 21-28 days.

Per federal regulations, counseling is not a requirement for Vivitrol treatment; however, individual and group therapy is available if patients are interested.