Office-Based Therapy for Patients
with Chronic Pain and/or Drug Addictions

• Patients do not need to go to a clinic to receive buprenorphine. Buprenorphine may be prescribed by qualified physicians in private practice.
• Milder withdrawal and detoxification process.
• Long lasting. Once maintained, the frequency of prescription is determined by the physician and can vary from weekly to monthly, depending on the patient's needs.
• Safer than heroin or traditional prescription opiates; buprenorphine alone is unlikely to result in an overdose.
• Reduced health risks, especially for those currently injecting drugs.
• Lower risk profile than methadone. Unlike methadone, it can be prescribed by physicians in private practice

The Columbia Advantage: One of the Nation's Leading Institutes

The Columbia University Buprenorphine Program was one of the nation's first to use buprenorphine for the treatment of pain medication dependence, heroin addiction, and methadone or other opiate dependence. The program also educates primary care physicians about proper treatment practices, part of a certification process which allows them prescribe the medication after completing a training course.

Private

Unlike methadone and other clinics, the Columbia treatment program is office-based. Buprenorphine treatment can initiated and continued by physicians in private practice. Our team has special expertise in helping to transition patients with opiate dependence to buprenorphine in the privacy and convenience of our medical offices. We can also arrange for patients to be maintained by their referring physician, or another certified physician in the community, according to their needs. Private inpatient care at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital is also available.

Professional

The Buprenorphine Program team consists of a psychiatrist, an internist, a registered nurse, and a psychotherapist, all of whom have special expertise in dealing with opiate dependence and the transition to buprenorphine. The team provides support for patients throughout all phases of treatment. The Buprenorphine Program uses the most comprehensive and well-tested methods.

Personalized

The Buprenorphine Program at Columbia University specializes in the use of buprenorphine for several types of patients, including those requiring:

• Treatment of chronic pain
• Detoxification from opiate dependence.
• Maintenance medication for opiate addiction

Transfer and stabilization phase takes place after a thorough evaluation by our team and consultation with a referring physician, if any.

Buprenorphine is an appropriate treatment for those dependent on opiates, either illicit heroin, methadone or prescription drugs.

Referrals

• Inducted onto Buprenorphine
• Stabilized on Buprenorphine
• Referred to their providers, or assisted in finding private physicians certified to prescribe for maintenance treatment.

New York Presbyterian Hospital
Columbia University Medical Center
635 West 165th Street
Eye Institute, 6th Floor
New York, New York 10032

This information was last updated or reviewed on May 2, 2005