Should subutex be used to overcome long-term heroin addiction?

Posted on Wed, 5 Mar 2014

Question: Family member age 26, male, heroin add. for 3? years. Has been to 2 rehabs. Given subutex there to detox and weaned from it for duration of rehab. Rehabed twice. Relapsed twice. He know of others in his situation using subutext under Dr.'s supervision who are "clean", have been reemployed, feel healthy, etc. He knows he would eventually be weaned from the subutext. Feels this is the only way he can deal with the urges to relapse, again. Wants to get and stay clean of heron, but feels he can not do it alone. Wants to go to a sub doctor (Discovery House), receive treatment both medically and counseling. Please, would you recommend he go the subutext route under physician care. He absolutely feels this is the solution for him at this time. Need your advice, please.

Answered by Dr. Saatiish Jhuntrraa (58 minutes later)

Brief Answer: discovery House is a better option Detailed Answer: hello, Sorry to learn that one of your family member is a heroin addict. Management of addiction is often associated with very very frequent relapses but that doesn't necessarily is a commentary on the motivation to leave drugs. Both routes have advantages and disadvantages. Discovery house is a better choice since it is a complete package. They teach you to live a life without drugs. You have lesser and lesser environmental cues to trigger an impulsive craving and drug seeking behavior. Both medical treatment and counseling are equally important. Subutext route has problem of frequent exposure to environmental clues for relapse plus if he wishes to try discovery house, it is all the better . Any more query is welcome DR SAATIISH JHUNTRRAA

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D