Outpatient Treatment for Opiod Dependence or Addiction

Experience mild or no withdrawal, visits with private physician

This is a usually successful individualized program using Buprenorphine (trade name Suboxone), aimed at getting you off Opiod drugs without experiencing much discomfort.

We plan together treatment courses for eventual permanent abstinence.

Buprenorphine is a pill dissolved under the tongue. It is bought in a regular pharmacy. In most cases the person can work later the same day. The first few days are called the induction phase, where the dose is found which makes you feel normal and not crave. After that, you are usually kept at that dose for a few days. Then we decide if your dose should be made smaller gradually or maintained for a while.

We recommend but do not require that you go to one NA or AA meeting a week to help you not relapse later. You may be referred for counseling. If you do exactly as recommended, you will likely have success. This program has been going for 5 years in the USA and longer in Europe and there are many successful graduates who can share their experiences with you.

For the first visit please come without having used any opiates or other drugs for 18 hours, and you will then be medicated at the session and likely experience relief. Few people experience side effects. Those who do not follow our recommendations precisely do not tend to succeed. Buprenorphine is a safe drug. It will not show up in drug screens done at your job.

All treatment is confidential, to the full extent of the law. The initial cost is $195, and $125 per visit thereafter (at day 5 to 7 and monthly thereafter). Length of treatment varies averaging about 3 to 6 months, or longer.

If you are on methadone, we can help you only if you take 30 mg./day or less. Methadone is addictive and difficult to get off of. If necessary you can consider weaning yourself down by 5 mg. per day per week, to a goal of 30 mg./ day or less prior to seeing us. Then you will likely have a better success rate.

      Charles Whitfield MD 404-843-3585  9:30 am to 5:30 pm only, most days, including weekends.

      Email:  c-bwhit@mindspring.com      Website: cbwhit.com