Buprenorphine is utilized in what is known as medication assisted treatment (MAT) for people in Lima who are dependent to opoids such as prescription pain killers or heroin. Unlike Methadone which is also used in medication assisted treatment but is only allowed to be administered in highly structured clinics, Buprenorphine can be prescribed and administered by qualifying doctors which gives more people with access to this form of treatment.
When Buprenorphine is utilized in recovery it can help individuals who are experiencing the intense cravings and withdrawal symptoms associated with opiate withdrawal. Buprenorphine works to manage and reduce these withdrawal symptoms so that they can focus and stay off drugs as well as not carry out harmful drug seeking behaviors. When the medication assisted treatment idea was first realized and perpetuated, it wasn't intended to be a primary form of treatment but rather only part of a multi-faceted approach that would also involve actual therapy practices for substance abuse and addiction. Buprenorphine use would only be one component of a larger comprehensive recovery plan.
Buprenorphine might also bring about some of the euphoric effects of other opiates so it can be misused. This is another reason it is highly suggested that anyone choosing medication assisted treatment as the recovery route they'd like to take, to also work with professional addiction counselors to integrate other methods of behavioral therapy and life repair actions into their course of rehabilitation to ensure they feel confident about recovery.