Opiate Detoxification with Buprenorphine (Subutex) or Methadone

Methadone and buprenorphine (Subutex) are used as substitution therapy to

avoid withdrawals and achieve stabilisation in opiate dependence treatment.

A withdrawal regimen after stabilisation with methadone or buprenorphine

should be attempted only after careful consideration.

Enforced reduction or detoxification is ineffective for sustained abstinence, it can precipitate withdrawal symptoms, increasing the risk of relapse and eventually overdose due to loss of tolerance. Complete detoxification from opioids usually takes between 4 and 12 weeks in a community setting.

A new buprenorphine prolonged-release injection (Buvidal) administered under the skin, either once a week or once a month, is available to our patients at our London-based treatment clinic. No need for daily or weekly pick up from chemist, nor supervised consumption.

Our opioid detoxification treatment programmes are designed to eliminate the symptoms of opiate withdrawal and decrease your chances of relapse. At The OAD Clinic, we can provide a comprehensive medical detox from opiates, as part of a bespoke programme to ensure an opioid detox treatment that is targeted to your nature of drug use. The two medications currently licensed for use are buprenorphine and methadone. The OAD Clinic can offer both.

With our different approaches to delivery of medically-assisted opioid detoxification treatment, patients can expect a safer and more comfortable detox process, curbing cravings and alleviating withdrawal symptoms.Certain forms of opioid detoxification will be recommended for those with severe opioid withdrawal symptoms.

Learn more about Buvidal injection.

Methadone or Buprenorphine?

Buprenorphine and methadone are medications licenced in the UK for the treatment of opioid withdrawal and long term opioid substitution therapy. Both medications have strong evidence of positive effects.

The World Health Organization lists methadone as an essential medication given that it can be taken indefinitely and in gradually reduced doses to help curb opiate withdrawal. Methadone has shown evidence of alleviating cravings and withdrawal symptoms. It also has the ability to boost social and emotional functionality. As such, it plays a significant role in opiate detoxification.

Buprenorphine is also listed as an essential medication according to the World Health Organization. It’s particularly relevant in opiate addiction treatment because it’s been proven safe for daily consumption as an opioid replacement for patients undergoing detoxification. This medication is a partial opioid agonist. In other words, it doesn’t fully stimulate opioid receptors, effectively lowering the chance of an opiate overdose. Due to the strong affinity for opioid receptors, when prescribed in appropriate doses, it prevents the use on top of other opioids like heroin. In a way it tends to work like naltrexone but without the unpleasant symptoms some patients experience.

Our approach to reduction and detox

Our multidisciplinary team works hand-in-hand with you to determine

the best opiate withdrawal treatment option depending on your

specific circumstances. Handling opiate withdrawal symptoms can be

a very challenging struggle and can become overwhelming. The OAD Clinic detox programmes have been designed to tackle these symptoms with opiate withdrawal medication on a case by case basis, making them optimally suitable to a wide range of individuals. In order to manage these opiate withdrawal symptoms.

We monitor your progress and have a flexible and practical approach to your treatment plan.
We do not set time limits to your opiate detox journey unless you would like us to.
We will advise you of what is your best option for achieving abstinence.
We do not discharge or exclude people for not succeeding, it is rarely the ‘end of the world’. It just means reassessing and trying again, being wiser for the experience.

Let’s discuss your opiate detoxification regimen today.

Countries We Serve

If you are based in USA, European Union, Egypt, India, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, or the United Arab Emirates, we are happy to discuss The OAD Clinic’s opioid detox treatment options with you at our London clinic. We invite you to come to London or have an online assessment to begin your recovery journey

Get in touch with us today for more information.