Buprenorphine and Substance Abuse Services for Prescription Opioid Dependence

SMM is designed to provide basic advice about opioid dependence and encouragement to adhere to treatment recommendations. Sessions provide support and monitoring of medication compliance, dose, withdrawal, adverse effects, and discussion of medical complications of opioid and other drug use. Early in treatment, the focus will be on helping patients adjust to the medications (e.g., monitoring withdrawal or other adverse symptoms, tolerating discomfort, curtailing illicit drug use, and referral to self-help). As treatment progresses, the practitioner may focus more on educating the patient about the social and behavioral factors perpetuating addiction and encourage behavioral and lifestyle change to support recovery.