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

• Patients do not need to go to a clinic to receive Suboxone. Suboxine 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; Suboxone 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 Suboxone for the treatment of prescription pain medication dependence, heroin addiction, and methadone or other opioid 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. Suboxone treatment can initiated and continued by physicians in private practice. Our team has special expertise in helping to transition patients with opioid dependence to Suboxone 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 internists, psychiatrists, and other clinicians, all of whom have expertise in dealing with opioid dependence and the transition to Suboxone. The team provides support for patients throughout all phases of treatment. The Buprenorphine Program uses state-of-the-art comprehensive and well-tested methods.

Personalized

The Buprenorphine Program at Columbia University specializes in the use of Suboxone 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.

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

Referrals

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

New York Presbyterian Hospital
Columbia University Medical Center
710 West 168th Street
Neurological Institute, Room 12-07,
New York, New York 10032

This information was last updated or reviewed on April 5, 2008