Buprenorphine Implementation Toolkit – Why buprenorphine?

Three different arrows, depicting the intersection of research evidence, clinical expertise, and patient values/preferences.

The opioid epidemic and death by overdose affects every state in the nation. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic opioid overdoses and related deaths have accelerated across the country.

Buprenorphine is a medication that helps people with opioid use disorders by reducing cravings and the debilitating effects of opioid withdrawal.

Buprenorphine therapy is an evidence-based practice that increases a person’s ability to participate fully in a comprehensive substance use disorder treatment program.

Comprehensive treatment may include hospitalization, counseling, case management, medication, recovery support services, participation in mutual aid groups, and peer supports.