Addiction

Ppartner smPathway Partners Addiction Medicine

Pathway Partners is an Addiction Program owned and operated under Boyett Health Services. Addiction to opioids such as prescription painkillers or heroin—is a challenging and complicated condition. But it can be treated effectively with medication-assisted therapy combined with counseling and support.

What is Opioid dependence?

Opioids are drugs that work in the body the way opium does. Some are made directly from opium (for example, morphine and codeine), while others are man-made but similar chemically to opium (for example, the painkillers oxycodone, hydrocodone, and fentanyl, better known by such brand names as OxyContin®, Vicodin®, Percocet®, and Actiq®*). The illegal drug heroin is also an opioid.

All of these drugs are extremely powerful. For people with severe pain, opioids are very effective medicines, and most patients treated for pain with opioids do not become dependent on them. For some people, however, opioid dependence is an unexpected side effect of proper pain treatment. The problem comes when someone is unable to stop using the drug after the pain passes.

Opioid dependence is a difficult condition, but it can be treated. If you’re working to overcome pain pill dependence, you know the experience can sometimes be overwhelming. Currently opiate dependence treatments like methadone can be dispensed only in a few centers that focus in addiction treatment. There are not enough addiction treatment clinics to assist all patients seeking treatment.

Treatment

We often treat our addiction patients with Suboxone, Zubsolv, and Bunavail. These medication contain a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone. Buprenorphine is an opioid medication. Buprenorphine is similar to other opioids such as morphine, codeine, and heroin however, it produces less euphoric (“high”) effects and therefore may be easier to stop taking. The intention of adding naloxone to the formulation is to deter intravenous misuse and reduce the symptoms of opiate dependence.  With Suboxone, Zubsolv, and Bunavail, their use is less rigidly controlled than methadone because they have a lower potential for abuse and are less dangerous in an overdose.

Opioid dependence is a chronic relapsing medical condition that requires long-term treatment and patient support. In addition, many intravenous drug users share syringes and needles; a practice that can lead to the transmission of serious blood-borne infections including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Addiction carries a wide range of health risks, making it vitally important to seek help as soon as possible in order to prevent further harm to the patient’s health and well being.

Suboxone is available in the form of a film, which is always administered sublingually (or under the tongue).

Bunavail is also a film, but it is administered between the cheek and gums (buccal delivery).

Zubsolv is a tablet that is administered sublingually, much like Suboxone.

Be aware that there are several options for treatment that will be making their way to patient treatment centers all over the world. This is due to the more recent focus on advanced scientific research in the area of addiction; brought on by the epidemic of opiate addiction.

Group Education

We realize that in order to truly treat addiction at its source, you can’t simply treat the body but must also treat the psychological symptoms in the mind and the belief systems that support the addiction. During the Induction Phase of our addiction program, each patient will complete a group education session with Dr. Boyett to get a better understanding of the science behind the physical and psychological effects of addiction.  We also have a few great suggestions for individual counseling and support in the surrounding areas.  We encourage all our patients to attend support  group meetings to solidify the recovery process.

Scheduling

Our Addiction Coordinator will be happy to help you schedule an appointment for our Addiction Program, and help to answer any questions you may have about how our program works. The Coordinator is often available here in our office (205-921-5556 ext.34).

What to expect

All programs begin with an initial physician visit. At that time, a thorough interview and comprehensive exam are completed to determine the appropriate dosing protocol and is typically 1 to 2 hours in length, depending upon the complexity of your case. Dr. Boyett uses the first visit to gather detailed information about you, your history of symptoms, behavior patterns and relationship styles to carefully formulate a Psychiatric diagnosis. It is very important to arrive for your 1st visit on time and prepared to answer a battery of questions.

Bring ALL medication bottles with you to your 1st appointment.

A packet of required forms must be completed and turned in before you can see the doctor. You may access the forms by clicking the links below. You may also pick them up from our office prior to your appointment, or arrive 30 minutes early to allow the time to fill them out.

Addiction Treatment Contract and Forms
Medication Prior Authorization Information Sheet

Please note: We have updated and revised our contract and forms. If you have previously completed the forms in our clinic, you will be required to sign the new revised version on your next visit.

The Induction Phase is the initial phase of our addiction program, and will include your initial visits as a new patient in our Addiction Program. This phase allows us to monitor you closely as you first start the medication.  For fees related to the Induction Phase, please call our office.

We do not accept payment by check at any time during Addiction Treatment; only cash or debit.  If you have insurance coverage and wish to use it for your Addiction treatment, there are a few things you must know:

We will make every attempt to verify your insurance coverage for addiction. Yet, if we are not able to receive information directly from your insurance stating that you have coverage in this area of treatment, you must be prepared to pay up front for your visit until we are able to file for your treatment and verify coverage.  You will be responsible to pay any remaining portion of the fee that was not covered by the insurance payment.

Once you have completed the Induction Phase and become established as an addiction patient, you are moved to Phase 1 of the program (maintenance phase). The cash fee of $215.00 or your customary insurance co-pays must be paid upon arrival for each visit.

Urine drug screening is a regular feature of Addiction therapy, because it provides physicians with important insights into your health and your treatment. Your 1st visit will include observed urine drug screening and blood work. Please come prepared with a full bladder. If you haven’t had a recent physical exam, your doctor may require one.

Once you have been educated about your diagnosis and treatment options, medications are prescribed when appropriate. You will have to take your prescription to you local pharmacist to be filled. We do not carry addiction medications or any other narcotics in our office.

If you have additional questions, you may call our office at (205) 921-5556.

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