Suboxone - Managed Maintenance Program
What is "Managed Maintenance"?
Managed Maintenance is a program with proven success in restoring health, life and hope to those unique individuals who, because of either systemic or acquired medical conditions, have become completely dependent on opiates. These special cases are patients with ten to fifteen year addiction histories with medical conditions such as Hepatitis C, HIV, heart problems, and/or psychiatric complications. These cases are not the norm, but not being a "normal addict" is no reason to be denied effective life saving, health restoring treatment.
Without Managed Maintenance, 80% of these extreme cases immediately fall right back into dangerous addiction. At Malibu Horizons we know the proper and effective way to replace dangerous and illegal substances with FDA approved Suboxone, a prescription medication also used in detox that keeps patients from experiencing life threatening, debilitating withdrawal, and allows them to remain physically stable.
Why Suboxone?
A Suboxone tablet easily dissolves under the tongue. It is a "partial opiate," meaning that it gives the brain something similar to what it is used to without the dangers associated with full opiates such as Heroin, Vicodin, or Methadone. It is available only by prescription, and administered by a physician. Perhaps an easy way to understand the use of Suboxone in Managed Maintenance is to think of training wheels on a bicycle. Training wheels provide physical balance while promoting personal assurance and confidence during the learning process. In time, the rider balances perfectly, on their own.
What's the right time to stop the Suboxone?
For the extreme opiate dependent patient, the managed use of Suboxone makes it possible for them to acquire the life skills and personal balance to ride "the bike of life" without crashing. It is wonderful to see the transformation of opiate addicts into healthy, happy, stable individuals free from cravings, illegal drugs, and life threatening behavior. When they have internalized and integrated the therapeutic tools given them, the patients recognize the "right time" to taper off the use of Suboxone until it is completely discontinued. Remember, we are dealing with a physical disease in much the same manner as we treat heart disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure. Whether or not the patient should take medication for their condition, what medication would be most effective, and how long that medication should be administered, is a matter best determined by the treating physician in consultation with the individual patient.
Non Liability for Professional Services
All patients and their doctors have individual treatment agreements for services rendered. All doctors of medicine furnishings services to clients at Malibu Horizon are independent consultants, not employees or agents.
