evidence-based care
Medication Management
Experienced and Trained Physicians
The Bergand Group Offers Two Medication Management Treatment Options at Their Offices in Baltimore and Harford County:
What is Suboxone?
Suboxone, also known as buprenorphine, is used for the treatment of opioid addiction. Not only does it reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings, it also prevents the patient from feeling the effects of opioids if he or she were to introduce them into their body. It does not produce a high or feeling of euphoria in patients with opioid addiction.
How Does Suboxone Work?
Suboxone uses two medications: buprenorphine, and naloxone.
Buprenorphine
Buprenorphine is a partial opioid agonist. Full opioid agonists include drugs such as heroin, morphine, and oxycodone. When a partial opioid agonist attaches to opioid receptors in the brain, it does not produce the same euphoric effect as a full opioid agonist would in an opioid addict. The brain, however, perceives it as a full opioid agonist, which in turn reduces withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Buprenorphine remains in the brain’s opioid receptors for 24-hours. It reduces withdrawal symptoms and cravings during this time, and also prevents full opioid agonists from occupying the receptors. This means that if a patient were to use a drug such as oxycodone or heroin within 24 hours after having taken Suboxone, he or she would not feel its effects. Patients cannot achieve a euphoric effect with Suboxone by taking more than the prescribed dose.
Naloxone
Naloxone is an opioid agonist which is not absorbed by the bloodstream in any meaningful quantity when taken as directed. However, if Suboxone is taken incorrectly, for example by injection or snorting, the naloxone travels to opioid receptors and removes the opioids that are there, causing a sudden and severe withdrawal. Because of this property, Naloxone is included in Suboxone to encourage its proper administration.
What is Vivitrol?
Vivitrol is a once-monthly medication that helps in treating alcohol and opioid dependence. Those suffering from an alcohol or opioid dependence must stop using before starting Vivitrol. Vivitrol is not a replacement for alcohol and drug recovery programs, rather it works in conjunction with treatment such as therapy and Intensive Outpatient Programs.
How Does Vivitrol Work?
When coupled with counseling, Vivitrol becomes part of a comprehensive treatment plan for addiction. Vivitrol targets the limbic region of the brain, which is associated with “basic drives or urges, rewards and pleasure,” and therapy targets the cortex, associated with “decision-making, thinking, reasoning, learning, and willpower.”
Vivitrol is a once-monthly drug administered by your addiction treatment physician. This treatment option is an extended-release “injectable formulation of naltrexone,” which works as a blocker for opioid receptors. This means that if a patient is to take opioids their effect will not be felt by the user. When taken for alcohol dependence, Vivitrol reduces the pleasurable feelings achieved from drinking which, in turn, reduces the desire to drink.
This drug will not “prolong your dependence on opioids or alcohol” and does not produce withdrawal when stopping the medication. Vivitrol helps those with a drug or alcohol dependence to prevent relapse, stay sober, and minimize cravings. Vivitrol is nonaddictive and nonnarcotic.
Addressing each patient’s individual needs
Our Services
Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP)
General and Addiction Psychiatry
DUI/DWI Educational Programs
Group Therapy
Medication Management
Psychoeducational Programs
Relapse Prevention
Our Office in Baltimore County
Convenient Location
Baltimore County Office
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1300 York Road, York Green
Building C, Suite 100
Lutherville, MD 21093 - 410-853-7691
- 443-519-5167